OFM · Saint-Saëns y Tchaikovsky

Saint-Saëns and Tchaikovsky, performed by the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra (OFM) at Teatro Cervantes in Málaga, on 29 and 30 April 2027 at 8pm, part of its 2026–27 subscription season. Conducted by Bulgarian conductor Nayden Todorov, with American cellist Zuill Bailey as soloist.

The first half presents Camille Saint-Saëns's Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 (1872), one of cellists' favourite concertos. It's played straight through, with no pauses between sections, and combines a passionate opening, a delicate central minuet and a dazzling finale. A short, direct work, full of French elegance.

The second half is devoted to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony in F minor, Op. 36 (1877–78), dedicated to his patron Nadezhda von Meck, “to my best friend”. The composer himself explained that the brass fanfare that opens it represents fate, a force that stands in the way of happiness. From there, the symphony moves through the melancholy of the second movement, the unusual pizzicato scherzo for the whole string section, and an overwhelming finale based on a Russian folk song.

One of the most intense, exciting symphonies in the repertoire, equally suited to regular concertgoers and to anyone discovering symphonic music for the first time. Tickets from €10 (up to €43) at the Teatro Cervantes box office and through Unientradas.