Pianists Louis Lortie & Illia Ovcharenko

About this event

Musician-in-Residence Illia Ovcharenko begins his three-concert residency with us alongside celebrated Canadian pianist Louis Lortie. Our 2026/27 Musician-in-Residence Illia Ovcharenko begins his three-concert residency alongside celebrated Canadian pianist Louis Lortie with Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9, performed in Franz Liszt’s extraordinary arrangement for two pianos. Liszt created the two-piano version in 1851, translating Beethoven’s full orchestral score, including the famous “Ode to Joy” finale, to the combined resources of two pianists. At a time before recordings, arrangements such as this helped bring major orchestral works to audiences beyond the concert hall, and Liszt played an important role in establishing Beethoven’s symphonies at the heart of the concert repertoire. The concert marks Lortie’s first Halifax appearance in more than forty years. Long admired for the insight and individuality he brings to the piano repertoire, Lortie has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras and in major halls across the globe. Ovcharenko has quickly built an international career with appearances at Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw, Wigmore Hall, and many other leading stages.