We mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a programme that reflects the USA as it has been - full of hope, dynamism and diversity. A triumphant opening brass fanfare leads into a lyrical Hawaiian welcome song, followed by the radiant warmth of Dvořák’s ‘American’ String Quartet.

The second half moves from Barber’s haunting Dover Beach to a wild reimagining of Bernstein’s West Side Story, performed by one of the largest ensembles heard here in recent years.