Belgian National Orchestra, Franck & Kamei

Two monuments of Romantic music meet in an evening of pure intensity and emotion. In his Second Piano Concerto, Brahms conceived the piano and orchestra as equal protagonists in a compelling narrative. The work is often described as a symphony with soloist, and for good reason. Expanding the traditional concerto form to four movements, Brahms reveals an exceptionally broad expressive palette. From robust power to the most delicate lyricism — most famously in the cello solo of the third movement — the music unfolds with both emotional depth and formidable demands. Pianist Masaya Kamei (5th prize in the Queen Elisabeth Competition 2025) rises to the challenge with precision and clarity, shaping the work’s sweeping tensions with authority and insight. The evening continues with Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, a work in which the composer lays bare his inner struggles and Romantic soul. The recurring fate motif colours the symphony from start to finish, yet the music never remains uniformly dark. Melancholy, hope, passion and theatrical flair alternate seamlessly. Under the direction of Mikko Franck, the symphony becomes a dramatic journey, culminating in a finale that overwhelms and refuses to let go.