Liszt piano concerto by Winner Liszt Competition and Schumann 4

Every three years it is a piano party in Utrecht, when Liszt Utrecht, or Liszt Competition, attracts pianists from all over the world. The preliminary round is behind us and, according to jury member Nino Gvetadze, a wonderful selection of participants has been made: 'The level of the competition is so high, everyone plays so beautifully... It's no longer about technique, it's about personalities, character and the story being told. Who plays the most convincingly? And how do you present yourself?" she told Podium. The winner will play a piano concerto by Liszt. Which one that will be remains a surprise until the winner is declared, but it will be a virtuoso feast full of beautiful melodies anyway.

Schumann's Symphony No. 4

Schumann composed his atmospheric Fourth Symphony after facing Schubert's "Great" Symphony. 'I thought only Beethoven was capable of writing something so powerful!' He began composing, but it would be more than a decade before he was satisfied with the result. That perfectionism pays off: the symphony is highly original, for example, all four movements merge seamlessly. But above all, Schumann dishes out to the listener one powerful and memorable theme after another. The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted this morning by France's top conductor Stéphane Denève.