Prokofiev’s Cello Concert faced harsh negativity by Soviet critics in 1938 for its avant-garde tendencies. It underwent a significant rewrite transforming it fifteen years later into the less confrontational Sinfonia concertante, deliberately arranged for the young Rostropovich, who would champion it. The work was now less aggressive, and the cello became a soloist part. Brahms harbored a deep affection for Switzerland, viewing it a second homeland he explored for thirty years. Composing several works in our country, his First Symphony’s finale unmistakably echoes a Ranz des vaches, likely inspired by his Alpine walks, just before the slightly transformed theme of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. But these are not the only charms of this piece; it embodies the quintessence of Brahms with its generosity and grandeur.

This concert is recorded and broadcast live on 03.05.2025 as part of the Plein jeu programme, produced by Mitsou Carré. 
Most of the concerts recorded by RTS Espace 2 are available on the Play RTS application: rts.ch/play or rts.ch/culture or osr.ch/live