30% OFF - Mozart Symphony ‘Haffner’ & Brahms Double Concerto

National Symphony Orchestra
Rimma Sushanskaya, Conductor

Sunday, 1st June 2025

Mozart - Don Giovanni Overture
Mozart – Symphony No. 35 ‘Haffner’ in D major, K.385
Brahms – Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102
Soloists: So Ock Kim, violin | Josephine Knight, cello

Join us for the third concert of our 2025 season: Mozart – The Late, Great Symphonies.

Mozart’s Don Giovanni Overture sets the stage for one of opera’s greatest masterpieces, blending drama, mystery, and wit. Opening with ominous, foreboding chords that foreshadow the opera’s dark themes, the music quickly shifts into a whirlwind of energy and excitement. This masterful contrast reflects the opera’s unique fusion of comedy and tragedy, capturing the reckless charm of its infamous protagonist. Written in a single night before the opera’s premiere in 1787, the overture remains a thrilling concert piece in its own right—bold, theatrical, and unmistakably Mozart.

Mozart’s Symphony No. 35, ‘Haffner’ is a dazzling and celebratory work, originally composed as a serenade for the prominent Haffner family in Salzburg. Bursting with energy and brilliance, it showcases Mozart’s signature elegance, from the stately opening movement to the exhilarating and fiery finale. This symphony stands as a testament to his ability to blend grandeur with effortless charm.

Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello is a deeply expressive and powerful work, written as a musical reconciliation between the composer and his longtime friend, violinist Joseph Joachim. This masterful composition showcases a unique interplay between the violin and cello, weaving together passages of soaring lyricism and dramatic intensity. From the bold opening statements to the passionate and lyrical middle movement, and finally, the spirited and virtuosic finale, Brahms creates a thrilling dialogue between the soloists, making this concerto a captivating highlight of the evening.

Born in Seoul and raised in London, violinist So-Ock Kim gained international recognition at 15 as the youngest ever winner of the Shell/LSO Competition, performing Tchaikovsky’s concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra. She has since performed worldwide, appearing at Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, and major international festivals, including the BBC Proms, Ravinia, and Schleswig Holstein. So-Ock has collaborated with leading orchestras such as the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. A champion of contemporary music, she has premiered works for Universal and Naxos. She plays a 1706 Stradivarius and teaches at the Royal Academy of Music.

Josephine Knight is one of Britain’s leading cellists, with a career spanning over 25 years. Since her sell-out Wigmore Hall debut, she has performed worldwide as a soloist with major orchestras under conductors such as Sir Colin Davis and Vasily Petrenko. She made her BBC Proms debut in 2005 and has recorded for EMI Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, and Chandos. A sought-after chamber musician, she has collaborated with Daniel Hope, Maxim Vengerov, Pinchas Zukerman, and leading quartets. A professor at the Royal Academy of Music, she studied at Juilliard and Yale and was elected a Fellow of the Academy in 2009.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening in the intimate setting of Sinfonia Smith Square, where every seat in the stalls offers a perfect view. Previous concerts have sold out quickly—secure your tickets today!

We are delighted to offer mirkout visitors a 30% discount. Simply use the promo code Haffner30 when purchasing tickets on the concert hall website.

Explore the full lineup of our 2025 concert season here: https://sites.google.com/view/nso-concerts

Secure your tickets now and experience the brilliance of Mozart and Brahms live!

Note: This venue is now called Sinfonia Smith Square, formerly known as St John’s Smith Square.