Enjoy a musical feast with A Musical Smorgasbord, a concert that lives up to its name with a rich variety of styles and surprises. With Scandinavian flair and a piano masterpiece at its heart, this programme offers something for every listener. We begin with Otto Nicolai’s overture to The Merry Wives of Windsor, a witty, effervescent piece inspired by Shakespeare’s comic tale. The music moves from pastoral calm to playful brilliance, full of sparkling detail and high spirits. Next, the monumental Piano Concerto No. 5 ‘Emperor’ by Beethoven takes centre stage. With its majestic opening, soaring themes and lyrical slow movement, this concerto is a showpiece of classical grandeur. We’re thrilled to welcome Tom Poster for his RTWSO debut – a pianist praised for both virtuosity and poetic insight. The concert concludes with Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 ‘The Inextinguishable’, a powerful and emotional rollercoaster. This one-movement symphony is driven by an unrelenting life force, with music that erupts with energy before dissolving into moments of introspective calm. The finale features dramatic duelling timpani in a dazzling conclusion. From joyful comedy to philosophical grandeur, this concert is a bold and thrilling showcase of orchestral colour and contrast.