1 and 6 March, and on 21 June 2005. Vladimir Ashkenazy, the world renowned Russian-born classical pianist and conductor is making a series of appearances with the baton at the Royal Festival Hall in March and June 2005. The first concert features performances of Beethoven Egmont Overture, Piano Concerto No.4 in G and Elgar Enigma Variations. Ashkenazy describes Egmony as a work that inspires me to a degree which not so many others do. The second concert showcases another Beethoven Overture this time the Prometheus, followed by Mendelssohns Violin Concerto and Mahlers Symphony No.4. There is also a pre-concert talk by Ashkenazy himself for which the admission is free. The June concert features works by Russian composers: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirevs Islamey - oriental fantasy, Rachmaninovs Piano Concerto No.2, and a composition by Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky and Ashkenazy entitled Pictures at an Exhibition. The lead musicians include pianist Till Fellner, violinist Joshua Bell, pianist Hlne Grimaud and the soprano Klara Ek, all supported by the Philharmonia Orchestra. Doors open at 19.30.