Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen / Martijn Dendievel

‘The first psychedelic symphony in history,’ is how Leonard Bernstein described Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. In five movements, Berlioz tells the story of a young artist who, tormented by hopeless love, takes opium. The result is a hallucinatory trip filled with visions, madness, and despair.

To give shape to this inner turbulence, Berlioz ventures into uncharted territory. He plays with conventions, ultimately creating a revolutionary piece of music. That same spirit of innovation resonates in The Chairman Dances by John Adams and the Duo Concerto for trumpet, percussion, and orchestra by Belgian composer Wim Henderickx.

Is this classical music? Is it dance music? It’s both! Martijn Dendievel and the Flanders Symphony Orchestra, together with the young talents of SOV Young, show us why.