Romantic voices united: virtuoso pianist with a legendary chamber orchestra

Three composers linked by the evolving spirit of 19th-century Romanticism anchor this rich programme from the Academy of St Martin in the Fields—one of the world’s most recorded chamber orchestras and a cornerstone of British musical life since its founding by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958.

With its trademark clarity and expressive precision, ASMF brings fresh insight to Robert Schumann’s poetically stirring Piano Concerto. South Korean piano sensation Yunchan Lim—who made history in 2022 as the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—joins as soloist in this lyrical masterpiece, inspired by Schumann’s intense bond with his pianist wife, Clara.

The spirit of Romanticism continues in Brahms’ radiant Second Symphony. Drawing on the Romantic ideals of the Schumanns, Brahms fused lyrical warmth with a deep sense of tradition and a determination to carry forward Beethoven’s symphonic legacy. The result is a work of glowing textures, buoyant themes and introspective melancholy—ideally suited to ASMF’s finely etched sound and sparkling detail.

The concert opens with Edward Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, composed just a few years before Brahms’ death. This early gem of English string writing radiates nostalgic charm and restraint. On the podium is Wilson Ng, newly appointed Fellow Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and recipient of the Edo de Waart Assistant Conductorship with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra—a rising star on the international scene and one of Hong Kong’s leading musical voices.

Advance bookings will start at 10am on 16 October 2025