The debut of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in Barcelona, under the direction of Gustavo Gimeno, was as eagerly awaited as it was memorable. With a sold-out Palau de la Música, the audience experienced an evening full of emotion, marked by the intensity of Rachmaninov and the poetic luminosity of Mahler—two composers who once again proved to be true lovers of Barcelona.
The first half of the concert had an undisputed protagonist: pianist Bruce Liu, making his debut in the city and emerging as the great surprise of the evening. His performance of Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 combined virtuosity, sensitivity, and an extraordinary rapport with the orchestra, earning an enthusiastic ovation from the audience. He also offered two encores: Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu and, by Rachmaninov himself, Zdes Khorosho from the 12 Romances, accompanied by the orchestra’s concertmaster.
After the intermission, Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G major unfolded its entire sonic universe, culminating in the delicate and expressive voice of soprano Anna Prohaska, who provided the final touch to a performance rich in nuance.
It was a night in which music, emotion, and artistic excellence came together, marking the opening of 2026 for BCN Clàssics with resounding success.