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‘Saw sixteen swans,’ wrote Jean Sibelius. ‘One of the greatest experiences in life. Oh god, what beauty!’ That dazzling vision became the mighty theme that crowns his Fifth Symphony and tonight it’s the climax of a whole evening of music inspired by nature, performed by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra – whether Debussy’s luminous musical seascape, or Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending. ‘I grew up with the idea that playing the violin was about being spontaneous,’ says soloist Pekka Kuusisto, and together with conductor Nicholas Collon, he’ll give the UK premiere of an enchanting new piece by Thomas Adès, as well as bringing fresh air to Vaughan Williams’s much-loved Lark.

Image: Pekka Kuusisto © Kaapo Kamo