In this exceptional concert of the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra, two geniuses of Romanticism will meet — musical visionaries Hector Berlioz and Frédéric Chopin.
The program will feature Berlioz’s most famous work, the “Symphonie fantastique” (“Episode in the Life of an Artist”, 1830). This revolutionary masterpiece of 19th‑century music is full of dramatic contrasts, vivid orchestral colors, and extraordinary imagination. The symphony tells the story of a young artist’s love, passion, dreams, and nightmares, in which reality intertwines with fantasy. Across its five movements — from “Reveries and Passions” to “The Witches’ Sabbath” — Berlioz’s innovation, imaginative orchestration, and the spirit of the Romantic era are revealed.
The second part of the concert will feature Chopin’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, one of the most beautiful examples of Romantic piano music. Here, the subtle lyricism of the piano merges harmoniously with the colors of the orchestra, creating an expressive and elegant musical canvas, full of tenderness, virtuosity, and emotional depth.
This work will be performed by Polish pianist Andrzej Wierciński, one of the brightest performers of the young generation and a three‑time participant in the prestigious International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. In 2015, he won the National Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, and today his concerts are heard in some of Europe’s most renowned halls. He studied in Katowice, Salzburg, and London, and his interpretations are distinguished by exceptional sensitivity and depth. In addition to his solo career, Wierciński actively performs with the chamber ensemble “Penderecki Trio”.
The orchestra will be led by conductor Dainius Pavilionis, guiding the musicians through the world of Romantic masterpieces with refinement and insight.