English Symphony Orchestra: Russian Masterpieces
Thursday 19 November 2026
English Symphony Orchestra: Russian Masterpieces brings together three powerful works by Russian composers for an evening of thrilling orchestral music at Cheltenham Town Hall.
Conducted by Kenneth Woods and featuring pianist Ryan Wang, the concert opens with Glinka's fiery and virtuosic Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla.
Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, composed in 1934, follows with its rich melodies and dazzling writing for piano and orchestra. After the interval, the programme concludes with Shostakovich's monumental Symphony No. 5, composed in 1937 during the darkest days of Stalinist repression and regarded as a powerful musical expression of suffering and resilience.
Programme:
- Glinka – Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla
- Rachmaninov – Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
- Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5
ESO Insights
Ticket holders can arrive early at 6.30pm for a pre-concert ESO Insights talk, offering a closer look at the music, musicians and creative ideas behind the programme.
The talk will be hosted by Kenneth Woods, with a special guest to be announced. ESO Insights is free to concert ticket holders.
Multi-buy offer: Save when booking multiple English Symphony Orchestra performances at Cheltenham Town Hall:
- Any 2 shows – 5% off ticket prices
- Any 3 shows – 10% off ticket prices
- Any 4 shows – 15% off ticket prices
The discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
Photo of ESO:©Michael Whitefoot
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