Awarded the prestigious title of “Orchestra of the Year 2024” at the Gramophone Classical Music Awards, the Czech Philharmonic returns to the stage of the George Enescu International Festival for two exceptional concerts, taking place on September 4 and 5, 2025, at the Palace Hall in Bucharest.
Under the baton of the charismatic conductor Petr Popelka—one of the leading figures of the current Czech conducting school—the orchestra presents a refined and diverse program, featuring works by emblematic composers: George Enescu, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Antonín Dvořák.
The first concert, scheduled for Thursday, September 4 at 8:00 PM, brings to the fore two monumental works: Symphony No. 4 in E minor by George Enescu, a piece left unfinished by the composer and completed by musicologist Pascal Bentoiu, and Symphonic Dances, Op. 45, by Sergei Rachmaninoff—his final orchestral composition, a brilliant expression of his late style, marked by experimental harmonies and unusual orchestral colors, including the alto saxophone.
The second concert, taking place on Friday, September 5 at 7:30 PM, will be a special celebration of Czech musical heritage, with an all-Dvořák program: the Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, featuring Kian Soltani—one of the most sought-after cellists on the international stage—and the Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60, a milestone of Dvořák’s artistic maturity. This symphony was composed in D major as a tribute to conductor Hans Richter, who in 1879 successfully premiered the composer’s Slavonic Rhapsody No. 3 in Vienna.
Chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic starting with the 2024/2025 season, Petr Popelka has quickly emerged as one of the most original voices of the new generation of European conductors. Praised for his interpretive energy and analytical precision, Popelka also serves as chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra (Wiener Symphoniker) and of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, where he holds the position of artistic director. Initially trained as a double bassist, he later developed his career as a conductor under the guidance of internationally renowned mentors, balancing the Central European classical repertoire with contemporary works.
Founded in 1896 in Prague, the Czech Philharmonic is one of Europe’s most prestigious orchestras, renowned for its warm sound and stylistic fidelity to the Romantic and early modern repertoire. Conducted over the decades by legendary figures such as Václav Talich, Rafael Kubelík, Karel Ančerl, and Václav Neumann, the orchestra has a deep connection to the works of Czech composers—especially Dvořák, Janáček, and Smetana. Currently under the artistic direction of Petr Popelka, the ensemble is enjoying a renewed international prominence, recently being named “Orchestra of the Year 2024” by the prestigious British publication Gramophone.
Tickets for the concerts of the George Enescu International Festival can be purchased online through the Eventim.ro platform, at https://www.cts.eventim.ro/artist/festivalul-george-enescu, as well as physically from Carrefour hypermarkets and the Cărturești and Humanitas bookstore networks.
Tickets for the concerts at the Palace Hall are available in six categories:
VIP – 280 lei,
Category 1 – 250 lei,
Category 2 – 200 lei,
Category 3 – 150 lei,
Category 4 – 120 lei,
Discounted tickets for pupils/students/seniors – 90 lei.
The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the program. Please visit the George Enescu International Festival website at http://www.festivalenescu.ro/ for the latest updates.
About the George Enescu International Festival
The George Enescu International Festival is one of the world’s most important classical music events, held since 1958. Its 27th edition will take place between August 24 and September 21, 2025, and will mark 70 years since the passing of the great Romanian composer and musician, George Enescu. This year’s theme is “Anniversaries / Celebrations”, and the program features over 95 concerts performed by more than 4,000 of the world’s most renowned artists. The Festival will highlight both Enescu’s artistic legacy and his profound impact on global classical music.
The George Enescu International Festival is held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania.
A cultural project funded by the Romanian Government through the Ministry of Culture.
Organizer: ARTEXIM
Co-organizer: ArtProduction Foundation
Co-producers: Romanian Radio Broadcasting Society, Romanian Television Society, Bucharest City Hall through ARCUB – Cultural Center of Bucharest Municipality
Main partners: Rompetrol – KMG International, BRD – Groupe Société Générale, JTI – Immersive Experience: innovation partner, Lexus: mobility partner
Partners: Purcari, FERRERO, Mobexpert, One United Properties, ORANGE, Nazzuro Aqua, L’OR, Althaus, Liliana and Peter Ilica Foundation, Senia Music
With the support of: BIGOTTI, Tuca Zbarcea & Associates, SANADOR
Monitoring partner: mediaTRUST