THE WORLD- famous St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra will return to Bradford tomorrow. (Feb 13)

The orchestra will perform popular and moving music by Sibelius and Tchaikovsky during its concert at St George’s Hall, beginning at 7.30pm.

There will be the Karelia Suite, the most popular suite by Sibelius, and the Piano Concerto No 1 and Symphony No 6, both by Tchaikovsky.

The St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, Russia's oldest orchestra, is appearing as part of the Bradford venue’s International Concert Season.

The concert promises to start in stirring form with the Karelia Suite by Sibelius, instantly recognisable and known for its rough-hewn folk inspiration.

This is followed by two pieces by one of Russia’s greatest composers.

Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No1 is arguably one of his most famous and most recognisable concertos, with excerpts used in places ranging from the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi to a classic Monty Python sketch.

The concert closes with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6, also titled Pathetique.

The evening’s concert is conducted by Vladimir Altschuler and features the remarkable Norika Ogawa, the Japanese pianist who has gained international renown since her success at the 1987 Leeds Piano Competition.

The international Orchestral Concert Season will continue on March 20 when Sir Mark Elder will conduct the Halle with cello soloist Alisa Weilerstein.

The Berne Symphony Orchestra, regarded by many as Switzerland’s leading orchestra, will perform at St George’s Hall on April 11. The final concert of the season includes music by Beethoven and Brahms, with conductor Mario Venzago and piano soloist Oliver Schnyder.

Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274 432000 to book tickets.