WITH possibly the most famous four notes in Classical music, Beethoven’s fifth symphony is one of virility and volatility, and it dominates the orchestral hall of fame.

Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Beethoven Symphony Cycle arrives at the Fifth, at Sage Gatesehad, at 7.30pm on Thursday (January 29). It will be accompanied by two violin showstoppers - Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No 2 and Sibelius’ Suite for Violin and Strings.

The maestro is Latvian conductor and Mahler Competition winner Ainars Rubikis, who is joined by young London Music Masters-winning violinist and student of Gideon Kremer, Hyeyoon Park.

Composed after the triumphant Eroica, the first movement of the Symphony No.5 is an early manifestation of the Sturm und Drang movement in Romantic music.

But listen on for a continued weaving of this dramatic musical narrative, with a heart-wrenching trio movement and stately finale.

Royal Northern Sinfonia violist Tegwen Jones said: “The huge range of emotions in Beethoven 5 makes it an exciting journey for the listener and also us players – it’s very satisfying to play such demanding music.”

More conventional than his previous compositions, Prokofiev’s second concerto for violin reflects the composer’s touring lifestyle on his gradual return to the USSR after a period of expatriation.

The music travels from folk tunes in its opening movement, to the spritely and sweeping cradle song second movement; all rounded off with Spanish castanet rhythms, written probably to entertain the premiere audience in Madrid.

The journey continues with a Finnish feel evoked in Sibelius’ Suite, portraying the rural life of the composer’s native land.

The concert rounds up the Association of British Orchestras annual conference, which this year takes place at Sage Gateshead.

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