A monumental creation, written at the height of Johannes Brahms’ career and symphonic Romanticism, the Piano Concerto No. 2 is a challenge for those who perform it and a pleasure for those who listen to it. The Symphony Orchestra is accompanied by Martin Helmchen, a virtuoso German pianist, a master at articulating the intimate side and the colossal dimension that characterises this work. The programme begins with the appeal of Hungarian-style dance, dominated by traditional rhythms and the use of elements typical of gypsy music, which influenced Brahms and many other composers. In between, a score by Schoenberg, a profound admirer of Brahms, enters the scene. A magnificent celebration of German musical tradition.