The first part of the programme belonged to the young Japanese pianist Miki Kawashima (23) and the Bielefeld Philharmonic under the baton of Alexander Kalajdzic. The prelude and fugue from the Well-Tempered Piano by Johann Sebastian Bach were followed by the overture to the fairytale opera "Hänsel und Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck. Before the break, Kawashima shone together with the orchestra in Chopin's Romantic Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor op. 21.
Contrast after a short break: The Swiss accordion virtuoso Mario Batkovic thrilled the audience with passionate playing on this unusual instrument. The highlight at the end was an emotional interpretation of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor op. 18 by the young Japanese pianist Kyohei Sorita, who captivated the audience with a standing ovation. The award-winning 24-year-old artist from Tokyo has spontaneously replaced Adolfo Barabino, who fell ill at short notice.
