The Seventh Symphony, one of Beethoven’s most optimistic compositions, and Liszt’s Second Concerto for Piano and Orchestra will be performed. Conductor Andreas Ottensamer will make his audience debut, and JPO will be joined by leading Korean pianist Won Kim in Liszt’s Piano Concerto.

Johannes Brahms
Academic Festive Overture Op. 80

Ferenc Liszt
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in A flat major S 125

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92

Won Kim – piano
Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava
Andreas Ottensamer – conductor

Photographs of the composer Johannes Brahms, from which a serious man with a manicured beard gazes out at us, often give the impression that the composer’s work is uninteresting and academic. But the opposite is true. Brahms was an avowed opponent of all formality. When the University of Wrocław awarded him an honorary doctorate, he composed his Academic Overture for the ceremony. He incorporated several student songs into the composition, including some that criticized academic authorities.

The Academic Overture will be followed by Ferenc Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto, subtitled concerto symphonique. In its interpretation, the pianist must transform himself into a poet of tones and understand virtuosity as a tool to express the most diverse emotions and mental states.

The concert will close with the Seventh Symphony, one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most optimistic works. Its dance-like playfulness was admired by the great musical romantics of the 19th century, led by Berlioz and Wagner. The Viennese premiere of the work, which was attended by the leading composers of the day, was met with great enthusiasm from the public and brought Beethoven fame and recognition.

The JFO Orchestra will perform under the direction of Andreas Ottensamer, who has also previously served as principal clarinet of the Berlin Philharmonic. He will introduce himself to the Opava audience for the very first time. In the Liszt Concerto, he will be joined by the leading Korean pianist Won Kim.