Brahms‘s Second piano concerto and Strauss’ Heldenleben

Denis Kozhukin plays Johannes Brahms's Piano Concerto No 2

The Netherlands Philharmonic presents a dazzling double bill in which two composing German heroes play the leading roles. One is Johannes Brahms, represented in this programme in his Piano Concerto No 2 . A brilliant clash of titans in which piano and orchestra are perfectly matched. Taking on the challenging solo part is Denis Kozuhkhin, the Russian pianist who has had a glittering career since winning the renowned Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2010.

Lorenzo Viotti conducts Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben

The other is Richard Strauss, who finds himself a huge hero in Ein Heldenleben , but with a fat wink. In some entertaining scenes, he heroically fights his perceived adversaries and seeks true inner peace. But whether he succeeds... Fortunately, according to Strauss, true heroism lies in daring to put yourself in perspective. Conducting the concert is Lorenzo Viotti, who until last season was the orchestra's inspirational chief.