Mihkel Poll is scheduled to perform at the Estonia Concert Hall on Thursday, uniting two different temperaments of romantic piano music. The concert will juxtapose the introspective world of Frédéric Chopin with the dazzling, theatrical, and narrative power of Franz Liszt, both composers from the same era yet expressing music in profoundly distinct languages. This enriching combination highlights the depth and variety found within romantic piano repertoire.

Poll, a professor at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, will then take his performance to the Grande salle Pierre Boulez at the Philharmonie de Paris, where he will tackle Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto. Known as one of the most challenging works in the piano repertoire, it demands both stamina and virtuosity, as well as the ability to maintain prolonged musical arcs throughout the performance. For Poll, this concert represents more than just a performance; it is an encounter with the "great form" of romanticism, offering a chance to demonstrate how the same instrument can convey both whispered nuances and grand, dramatic expressions.

Poll’s upcoming concert is not only an opportunity for personal artistic expression but also elevates Estonian representation in major European cultural venues. The performance at the Philharmonie de Paris places him on a prestigious international stage, where he can connect with a broader audience and showcase the richness of Estonian musical talent. As he prepares for this significant presentation, Poll looks to embody both the technical prowess required for Rachmaninoff's work and the emotive depth that defines romantic piano music.