The spirit of the symphonic poem and the power of musical storytelling resound in the immensely popular works The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Sheherazade, followed by the percussive force of Prokofiev’s Concerto No.2—like a powerful antidote.

Inspired by one of Goethe’s ballads, Dukas’s illustrious Sorcerer’s Apprentice was immortalised by Walt Disney’s Fantasia: its vivacity and the sense of orchestral effects, supported by remarkable rigour, create an undeniable mood of magic spells and incantations. This rich imagery and sense of enchantment are echoed in Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic suite Sheherazade, a masterpiece of Orientalist fantasy, beloved for its unforgettable violin arabesques, epic fanfares and voluptuous melodies. 
In a sharper register, Prokofiev’s Concerto No.2—a daunting feat on piano carried off by Alexandre Kantorow (First Prize at the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition)—sparked controversy at its premiere: a sense of ‘barbarity’ seemed to emanate from its mechanical style, and it is true that while the work has its mournful moments, the composer imbued it with a phenomenal concentration of energy.