An American and an English composer’s works, the first inspired by the Frenchman Voltaire’s novella set in Germany, the second by the ancient Greek Plato’s Symposium, and the third written to commemorate an English ruler. The program will be executed by a Venezuelan soloist, an English conductor and a Hungarian orchestra channelling the full grandeur of Western Civilisation. The prelude to Bernstein’s Candide awakens optimism and confidence, while throughout the serenade - which is actually a violin concerto - occasional melodies appear on the theme of love. Elgar’s Symphony commemorates King Edward VII. and is therefore naturally dignified and lofty, but also surprisingly intimate and personal. The program captures our fundamental emotions from multiple sides. While all of the pieces were composed in the 20th century, they call on historical events from ancient times, across the Renaissance to the turn of the century, giving voice to the philosophies of each era.