Sheffield International Concert Season 2026/27 - Halle Orchestra

The Hallé Orchestra returns with Mahler's heady Fifth Symphony and Rachmaninov's wicked Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The story goes that the 19th century violin virtuoso, Niccolo Paganini, sold his soul to Satan in exchange for his extraordinary talent. Rachmaninov's theme and variations on one off Paganini's compositions goes to prove that the devil really does have the best tunes. Russian pianist Alexi Volodin brings a galvanising vitality to this richly imaginative piece. After the interval, Mahler's Fifth Symphony takes centre stage. Beginning with a funeral march, this monumental work travels from a mood of hopelessness, through one of the composer's most beloved slow movements, to its unforgettably jubilant conlusion. Mahler specialist Kahchun Wong will bring his signature energy to this performance.