Beethoven at the height of his powers, Bruckner finding his most personal voice. Two composers with a clear gaze toward the future, yet firmly rooted in their own time. Together, they shape the dramatic arc of an evening that opens with grandeur—and ends just as powerfully.

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Bruckner’s symphonies are often compared to vast sonic cathedrals—but the Sixth stands apart. “More like a chapel,” wrote one critic, “intimate and luminous, bathed in light at the heart of a proud forest.” Bruckner himself called it his boldest symphony: heroic, reflective, and capped by a triumphant finale. A work that doesn’t demand attention, but quietly reveals its greatness to those willing to listen.

In his Choral Fantasy, Beethoven joyfully celebrates the power of the human spirit. The work overflows with optimism and virtuosity, unfolding in a whirlwind of dialogue between piano, choir, soloists, and orchestra. An ode to peace and joy—sounding familiar?

A central role in this rarely heard score is reserved for Boris Giltburg. When he performs, you listen with bated breath. A deeply sensitive and captivating interpreter, he draws out the tension with every note. Beethoven holds a special place in his repertoire: in 2020, he recorded all 32 piano sonatas and released the complete piano concertos. In the rarely performed Fantasy for Piano, Choir and Orchestra, Giltburg once again showcases his flawless instinct for Beethoven’s musical language.