When does Pastoral and Poetic take place?

The concert begins on Thursday, February 25, 2027, at 7:30 PM.

Where does the concert take place?

The venue is the Mercatorhalle Duisburg at König-Heinrich-Platz in 47051 Duisburg.

Who is performing at the concert?

Stefan Blunier conducts the Duisburg Philharmoniker. Louis Lortie will take the piano part.

What works are on the program?

The program includes Schumann's Genoveva Overture op. 81, Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor op. 21, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major op. 60.

Is there a concert introduction?

Yes. The concert introduction begins at 6:30 PM in the Philharmonie Mercatorhalle.

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are available starting at 10 Euros, depending on the seating category. Other regular prices are 17, 21, 27, 33, and 39 Euros.

Blunier & Lortie in Duisburg

Name: Pastoral and Poetic
Start: 2027-02-25T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2027-02-25T19:30:00+01:00
Location: Mercatorhalle Duisburg

Pastoral and Poetic: Sonorous Contrasts in the Mercatorhalle

On Thursday, February 25, 2027, orchestral clarity, pianistic brilliance, and romantic sound poetry will combine in Duisburg. At the 6th Philharmonic Concert, Stefan Blunier will conduct the Duisburg Philharmoniker. The Franco-Canadian pianist Louis Lortie will be the guest artist at the piano.

Between Schumann, Chopin, and Beethoven

The program opens with Robert Schumann's overture to the opera Genoveva op. 81, before Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor op. 21 leads the concert evening into an expressive world of virtuosic movement and sensitive melody. Ludwig van Beethoven's Fourth Symphony in B-flat major op. 60 will conclude the performance.

Stefan Blunier at the Conductor's Podium

Stefan Blunier brings years of experience in symphonic and operatic sound design. The conductor, born in Bern, served as General Music Director in Bonn from 2008 to 2016 and led the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn. Starting from the 2026/2027 season, he will take over the artistic direction of the Duisburg Philharmoniker. His conducting is characterized by precise synchronization, transparent orchestration, and a keen eye for the dramatic architecture of great works.

Louis Lortie: Chopin with Poetic Depth

Louis Lortie is among the prominent interpreters of the romantic piano repertoire. The pianist won the first prize at the International Ferruccio Busoni Piano Competition in 1984 and received accolades at the Leeds International Piano Competition in the same year. His intensive engagement with Chopin's music also shapes this concert: In the second piano concerto, sparkling runs, finely modeled colors, and powerful orchestral dialogues come together.

A Concert Evening Full of Sound Colors

The dramaturgy leads from Schumann's operatic tension through Chopin's lyrical keyboard play to Beethoven's classical transparency. In the Philharmonie Mercatorhalle, a live atmosphere is created, where each instrumental use becomes part of a larger sound image. The concert introduction begins at 6:30 PM and offers a deep immersion into the program.

Conclusion: Experience Music Live in All Its Intensity

Pastoral and Poetic promises a concert evening with renowned artists, a versatile symphonic program, and the special audience atmosphere of the Duisburg Philharmoniker. Those who want to experience Schumann, Chopin, and Beethoven in a concentrated live atmosphere will find the right place on February 25, 2027, at the Mercatorhalle.