FANTASIE & MUT

With „Fantasie & Mut“, the Kronberg Festival 2026 opens in the spirit that lies at the very heart of the festival: with an artist whose convictions resonate far beyond the concert hall.

Gabriela Montero is one of the most remarkable pianists of our time. A brilliant interpreter and acclaimed improviser, she has captivated audiences around the world. Beyond the stage, she has for many years been an outspoken advocate for democracy, human rights and freedom in her native Venezuela. In recognition of her exceptional artistic and humanitarian commitment, she will receive the Pablo Casals Award for a Better World.

The programme reflects this spirit with compelling intensity. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 is one of his most expressive and enigmatic works. Kurt Weill’s Second Symphony was composed in exile after the Jewish composer was forced to flee the Nazis. It is music that speaks of loss and new beginnings – and of the strength to carry on in the face of adversity.

Together with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, conducted by François Leleux, Gabriela Montero opens the Kronberg Festival with a concert that brings the spirit of “Courage!” vividly to life: through imagination, conviction and the courage to take responsibility.