Brahms and Beethoven

Programme

Johannes Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, op. 15

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 7 in A major, op. 92

Two outstanding musicians – pianist Jonathan Biss and conductor Delyana Lazarova – join forces with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO) to present two masterpieces of the classical repertoire: Johannes Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.

Jonathan Biss is a highly acclaimed pianist, renowned worldwide for his deeply insightful interpretations. The depth of his musical understanding and his intellectual approach have earned him international recognition.

Delyana Lazarova is a brilliant and sought-after conductor who leads renowned orchestras across Europe and America. Her artistic versatility is supported by her international education and experience in both Eastern and Western European musical traditions.

Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is one of the most remarkable works of 19th-century musical idealism – an ambitious and emotionally charged composition by a young composer, impressive in its symphonic scope and demanding from the pianist not only technical virtuosity but also profound musical maturity.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 is considered one of his most vital and rhythmically compelling works. It is full of energy, surging rhythms, and a dance-like drive. Richard Wagner famously called it “the apotheosis of the dance” – a hymn to life radiating hope, energy, and affirmation. Above all, the symphony is an emotional journey – a combination of joy, tragedy, and vitality that continues to feel fresh even more than 200 years after its creation.