THE Philharmonia Orchestra performs a spectacular Russian programme at The Anvil on Sunday, January 18 at 7.45pm. 

They will be joined by one of the most compelling young violinists today, Ray Chen, and conducted by Diego Matheuz, one of the most promising developing talents from the Americas and a product of the famous El Sistema programme.

The programme begins with Mussorgsky’s spine-tingling Night on a Bare Mountain, depicting a witches’ Sabbath. The piece is one of his most successful tone poems.

This is followed by Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, one of the most tuneful and popular of all violin concertos, which ends with a whirling Russian dance.

Finally, Rimsky-Korsakov’s orchestral suite Scheherazade takes tales from the Arabian Nights and dresses them in gorgeous, inventive orchestral colours to make a dramatic and satisfying work.

The Philharmonia Orchestra is Anvil Arts' Orchestra in Partnership. 

Tickets: £13 to £39. Under 16s and fulltime students pay £10 (all ticket prices include £1 booking fee).

Box office: 01256 844244, anvilarts.org.uk.