“The man has more ideas than any of us. Other composers could gather up his musical leftovers to create their central themes,” Johannes Brahms once said admiringly of Antonín Dvořák – perhaps a little envious of the musical ingenuity of his slightly younger friend and colleague. His Symphony No. 7 is indeed brimming with ideas and deep emotions. In its frequently grave and melancholic tone, the work resembles the spirit of Brahms in his “serious” mood. The latter’s Piano Concerto No. 1 begins with an almost threatening drum roll. The first movement is defined by tremendously strong contrasts. Solemn gravity is juxtaposed with jubilant exuberance, which spirals to triumphant grandeur in the final movement. Taking on the highly demanding, exhausting virtuoso solo part in his debut with the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra is the young Austrian pianist Lukas Sternath who caused such a sensation at the renowned ARD International Music Competition in 2022. He not only carried off the first prize but was awarded a further seven special prizes.