Pianist Andrei Licareț will be the soloist of the symphonic concerts held by the Philharmonic Orchestra "George Enescu" on Thursday and Friday, February 3rd and 4th. He will perform Concerto no. 1 in D minor by Johannes Brahms.

Mr. Andrei Licareț, you will be the soloist of the symphonic concert on Thursday, February 3rd, along with the Philharmonic Orchestra "George Enescu". How did you get the invitation to perform once again on the Romanian Athenaeum's stage?

I have received it with great joy because, in the current context, where things are so uncertain, any stage appearance becomes all the more important, the more precious, and represents the road back to normality, though difficult, we hope it's done gradually. So, it is a great joy to be back on the stage of the "George Enescu" Philharmonic, along with the philharmonic orchestra, especially in the company of a very popular composer I've admired all my life, Johannes Brahms.

You will perform the Concerto no. 1 in D minor for piano and the orchestra by Johannes Brahms. What's the motivation behind this choice?

Since we're dealing with a masterpiece, a very special work written by a young composer, the choice motivates itself. Brahms was 27 years old when he finished this concerto he worked on for a long time, written in a rather hectic period of his life. And then, of course, the music itself is a special music of exceptional beauty, of a special composition craftsmanship, and it is written by a still so young composer. This choice stands to reason, because it is a masterpiece we enjoy to hear and play.

Thursday's concert on February 3rd will take place again on Friday, February 4th. How is it for a performer to appear before the public two days in a row with the same work? Are there any difficulties?

Not necessarily. It is always different. It can't be the same. It is difficult to compare because the next day you may have the same experience as the day before, and sometimes things can lead you to have a different experience. Although, this is not the norm. However, the artists who are on stage for several days in a row, are only redirecting their focus on their music and the result will of course be different. Invariably, something will be different.

After the concert at the Athenaeum, what events are scheduled on pianist Andrei Licareț's agenda?

Unfortunately, there have been so many scheduled things over the last two years that have not materialized, so I will say a few now, but with reluctance, as we still do not know what the near future will bring us. A series of recordings ... I hope things will be done not only for me, but for everyone, and we will return to a normal situation where life will go on, more or less, as we know it.