Berliner Philharmoniker / Lisa Batiashvili / Kirill Petrenko

For their concerts in Berlin, Vienna and Hamburg, Kirill Petrenko and the Berliner Philharmoniker have decided to replace Franz Liszt’s symphonic poem »Les Préludes« with the »Tragic Overture« by Johannes Brahms. »I would like to postpone my engagement with the symphonic poem ›Les Préludes‹ by Franz Liszt, which I greatly appreciate as a work of art, until a later date,« says Kirill Petrenko. »In the current world situation, I consider it inappropriate to perform this music, which was misused during the Nazi era to publicise victory. Together with the orchestra, I have therefore decided to include Johannes Brahms’ ›Tragic Overture‹ on the programme for the upcoming concerts instead.«

In his First Violin Concerto, the Polish composer Karol Szymanowski combines 19th century traditions with compositional trends of the early 20th century. Performing the solo part is a rewarding task for the celebrated Georgian violin virtuoso Lisa Batiashvili, who makes this 1916 concerto shine, sing and blossom.