LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – LIGETI / BEETHOVEN

Fate knocks at the door, and LSO Principal Guest Conductor François-Xavier Roth and violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja seize the moment.

‘This is how Fate knocks at the door!’ declared Beethoven, but if those first electrifying notes are all you know of his Fifth Symphony, you’re in for a thrilling discovery. It’s the only possible way to follow the fabulous, fantastical music of György Ligeti – a composer who took the orchestra, turned it upside down, and crafted astonishing new sounds from what fell out.

In other words, it’s the music of a true original – perfect for a conductor like François-Xavier Roth, who hears every note as if it’s newly minted. And even more perfect for explorer, storyteller and one-woman musical phenomenon Patricia Kopatchinskaja. Not many violinists acquire a cult following but when you hear ‘PatKop’ play, you’ll understand why she’s the exception that proves the rule.