Julian Rachlin

Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

With a wonderfully lyrical horn call that pierces the morning twilight: this is how Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 begins. And with a grand yet tender gesture, the solo instrument responds in a dreamy manner. An intimate dialogue, a romantic exchange steeped in nature, which soon grows into compelling symphonic and virtuosic developments spanning four movements – culminating in a light-hearted, cheerful and elegant finale. This is followed by the no less magnificent Symphony No. 8, penned by Brahms’s Bohemian protégé, colleague and friend Antonín Dvořák, who enjoyed particular success with it in England at the time: with this melodically rich, rhapsodic and joy-radiant work, he expressed his gratitude for being awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Cambridge.