“Pletnev Plays Schumann.” Deutsche Grammophon gave this title to their solo disc of the pianist (born in Arkhangelsk) in 2004. This production is also at the centre of this concert: after numerous concerts where Pletnev conducted the orchestra, this time he will be the soloist for Schumann’s Concerto for Piano in A minor. The pianist-conductor is one of the closest partners of Concerto Budapest. On the other hand, the programme brings the audience right into the very heart of Romanticism: the opening piece will be the Prelude to Tristan and Isolde, which was explained by Wagner as follows: “Insatiate desire rises only once, in a long and disjointed sequence, in order to find a breakthrough that will open the way for the heart of boundless desire to the sea of infinite amorous delight. In vain! The heart collapses impuissant to wither in a longing that does not reach its goal, because each achievement only gives rise to a new desire, until, in the last agony, a premonition of the attainment of supreme delight flashes through the dying eyes: it is the delight of death.” Although it is considered mistakenly by many that César Franck composed only one piece, in the second part of the concert, his popular Symphony in D minor will be performed, conducted by Kristóf Baráti. The symphony was completed in 1888.