French musical Romanticism is highlighted in this programme featuring two key composers from that universe. With Harold en Italie, Hector Berlioz created an innovative piece based on a narrative poem by Lord Byron. It illustrates the melancholic wanderings of a young man – represented by the solo viola – through nature and foreign lands. No less innovative in its day, César Franck’s Symphony in D minor is a true musical monument that has the ability to irresistibly draw in the listener. After its premiere, the composer said: “I took a big risk, but next time I’ll take an even bigger one!” However, this was his last symphonic work.