Brussels Philharmonic, Jonathan Fournel & Lucie Leguay

Johannes Brahms’ First Piano Concerto is not for the faint of heart. It is a monumental battle between piano and orchestra, born from the deep personal crisis Brahms faced after the death of his mentor, Robert Schumann. Balancing that power and tenderness asks a lot of a soloist—but with his unique blend of refined elegance and wild instinct, Jonathan Fournel understands the dark pulse of Brahms like no other. While Brahms sought stability in structure, Tchaikovsky surrendered unreservedly to 'Fate'. While writing his Fifth Symphony, the composer struggled with self-doubt: "no, no hope at all," he noted. Yet, this personal journey through raw emotion grew into one of the most performed symphonies in the Romantic repertoire, offering understanding and comfort to many a lost soul.