Up next in the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra’s spring programme is the Premiere 5 concert, the final musical event for April. With a richly contrasted repertoire from Baroque profundity to Romantic exuberance, the concert will offer classical music lovers two evenings of artistry in Nicosia and Larnaca.

First, Nicosia audiences at the Pallas Theatre will enjoy the Orchestra as it is joined by featured soloist Christos Fountos of Cyprus, performing under the firm baton of the internationally acclaimed conductor Charles Olivieri-Munroe. Following Nicosia’s concert on April 29, Larnaca audiences will listen to the Premiere 5 repertoire at the Municipal Theatre G. Lycourgos, on April 30.

The evenings will start with Johann Sebastian Bach’s monumental Chaconne from the Partita in D minor, here heard in Joachim Raff’s powerful orchestral transcription. At the centre of the programme stands Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano concerto no. 1, a youthful masterpiece overflowing with passion, dazzling virtuosity and sweeping, unforgettable melodies. The concerto showcases the composer’s emerging genius and the piano’s full expressive and dramatic potential.

The evening will conclude with Robert Schumann’s radiant Symphony no. 1 ‘Spring’, bursting with optimism, rhythmic vitality and lyrical warmth.

Fittingly, spring’s agenda will continue with two more Cyprus Symphony Orchestra concerts; one with Maria Farantouri singing Mikis Theodorakis and the Community Outreach concerts taking music to Ayioi Trimithias, Episkopi and Tala.

Premiere 5

Cyprus Symphony Orchestra concert with Cypriot pianist Christos Fountos as the featured soloist. April 29. Pallas Theatre, Nicosia. April 30. Municipal Theatre G. Lycourgos, Larnaca. 8.30pm. www.cyso.org.cy