Humperdink's Overture to Hansel and Gretel is full of gloriously warm and charming musical ideas, from the opening horn quartet, through an invigorating climax to its calm and lustrously sensitive close. 
While Sibelius's Finlandia may be familiar to many (it is often considered to be Finland's equivalent to Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 in the UK), the Finn's En Saga is
perhaps less well known.  This fifteen minute tone poem, described
enigmatically by the composer as “an adventure in an inner landscape”, is variously mystical, tuneful and certainly dramatic (it also shines a spotlight on the orchestra's viola section).  Truly powerful stuff.
The second half of the BCO's concert is given over to Dvorak's sunny Symphony No.8.  A signature piece in the repertoire of the BCO's Music Director, Michael Turner, the orchestra is delighted to return to this most engaging of pieces which gives each section of the orchestra the opportunity to shine, from the cellos at the opening to the whooping horns and "fanfaring" trumpets of the last movement."