News and Media
Review Landscapes in Sound National Symphony Orchestra / Rimma SushanskayaCadogan Hall — 8 July 2026 A Triumph of Late-Romantic Orchestral Splendour. Attending the “Landscapes in Sound” performance at Cadogan Hall was a thoroughly spellbinding experience. Under the visionary baton of conductor Rimma Sushanskaya, the evening delivered an emotionally charged programme that beautifully captured the sweeping […]
Review
Landscapes in Sound
National Symphony Orchestra / Rimma Sushanskaya
Cadogan Hall — 8 July 2026
A Triumph of Late-Romantic Orchestral Splendour. Attending the “Landscapes in Sound” performance at Cadogan Hall was a thoroughly spellbinding experience. Under the visionary baton of conductor Rimma Sushanskaya, the evening delivered an emotionally charged programme that beautifully captured the sweeping narrative power of late-Romantic masterworks. The concert opened with Smetana’s Vltava (The Moldau). Sushanskaya guided the orchestra through the descriptive nature of the tone poem with exceptional precision, the ensemble built seamlessly from the delicate flutes of the initial river springs, to the broad, triumphant orchestral waves as the theme reached its majestic climax. Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, featured the brilliantly talented soloist Coco Tomita. Sushanskaya maintained an exquisite, highly sensitive balance between the orchestra and the soloist throughout the piece. Her intuitive conducting ensured that the dialogue between Tomita’s eloquent virtuosity and the supporting ensemble remained perfectly synchronised, allowing the emotional depth of the piece to truly shine. The second half was anchored by Sergei Rachmaninov’s colossal Symphony No. 2. Clocking in at an expansive 75 minutes, Sushanskaya’s interpretation was a true masterclass in pacing and orchestral control. She drew a remarkably deep, rich tone from the string section, while leading the woodwinds through the agonizingly beautiful melodies of the third movement with breathtaking clarity. Sushanskaya successfully unified the complex emotional architecture of the symphony, bringing the night to a triumphant, deeply moving conclusion. It was an unforgettable showcase of orchestral brilliance, driven by exceptional musicianship.
Review
Roman Sun, Russian Soul
National Symphony Orchestra / Rimma Sushanskaya
Cadogan Hall — 3 May 2026
The National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rimma Sushanskaya, delivered a breathtaking all-Tchaikovsky programme entitled Roman Sun, Russian Soul. The evening was a masterclass in the composer’s ability to combine technical brilliance with deep emotional resonance.
The concert opened with a spirited rendition of Capriccio Italien, perfectly capturing the “Roman Sun” aspect of the programme. Sushanskaya brought vibrant energy to its Italian street melodies and bugle calls.
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto featured soloist Charlotte Spruit. A rising star and YCAT Artist, Spruit’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Her technical precision was matched by passionate, expressive playing in the concerto’s lyrical moments, with the second movement proving particularly moving.
The programme concluded with Symphony No. 4. Under Sushanskaya’s dynamic baton, the orchestra moved seamlessly from the inner turmoil of the opening movement to a triumphant and exhilarating conclusion that brought the audience to its feet.
An exceptional evening celebrating Tchaikovsky’s mastery of melody and drama, and a richly emotional journey for all in attendance.
Our Sounds Symphonic 2026 series opened to great acclaim at Cadogan Hall, London. Rimma conducted the National Symphony Orchestra of Great Britain in a stirring and memorable performance of Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony, enjoyed by a large and enthusiastic audience. Don’t miss the rest of the series – we would love to see you there.
We celebrated a very special occasion at the Foundling Museum with the launch of our complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies CD box set, conducted by Rimma with the National Symphony Orchestra of Great Britain.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to share in this important milestone.