An exciting programme exploring Viennese classicism in one of its most dramatic and revolutionary expressions, comparing Ludwig van Beethoven with the lesser-known but fascinating composer Edouard Du Puy, originally from Neuchâtel. This musical encounter traces the transition from 18th-century grace to the heroic impetus of the early 19th century, in a journey that finds its ideal interpreters in the expressive pianism of Olga Scheps and the conducting of Lena-Lisa Wüstendörfer.

The concert begins with the Overture from Ungdom og Galskap (Youth and Madness) by Édouard Du Puy, a Swedish composer originally from Neuchâtel, who is rarely performed today. His brilliant and light overture offers dynamic contrasts and refined orchestral interplay, fitting into the climate of transition towards Beethoven's innovations. This is followed by Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3, a work characterised by an intense dialogue between soloist and orchestra. Olga Scheps, with her sensitivity and intensity, conveys all the power and lyricism of this score. The concert culminates with Beethoven's iconic Symphony No. 5, a symbol of the struggle against fate: under the baton of Lena-Lisa Wüstendörfer, the Swiss Orchestra tackles this monumental work with an approach that combines philological rigour and emotional force. A programme that recounts the transition from an era of formal balance to a musical vision in which conflict and transformation become the constituent principles of symphonic discourse.