Toward the Light – Classical Concert with Michalak and Schermi

In 2026, the Round Tower will pay tribute to Ole Rømer — one of the greatest astronomers, who helped define how humankind thought about time and space, influencing astronomy for eternity. But which musicians did the same for music? Who shaped music history and set new standards for how music could sound? This is what the duo Michalak and Schermi explores, with a classical evening in the Round Tower.

Ad Lucem is Latin and means “toward the light.” It can be understood both literally, as moving from darkness to light, and symbolically, as a quest for understanding, truth, insight, or spiritual enlightenment. In 2026, the Round Tower marks the 350th anniversary of astronomer and former head of the Observatory Ole Rømer’s discovery and determination of the speed of light. We will celebrate this by turning our attention to some of the greatest composers who influenced the history of music — just as Ole Rømer did with astronomy.

The interpretations of the works are presented by the Italian violinist Simone Schermi and the Danish-Polish pianist Filip Michalak. Schermi has played music since the age of 11, has won multiple prizes, and has served as both concertmaster and solo violinist in several orchestras. Michalak began his classical education at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, but has also studied in Stockholm and Manchester. He is now part of the “The Keyboard Charitable Trust” in London, while in Denmark he is behind the “Aalborg Chamber Music Festival”.

Evening Program

• Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonata for Violin in B minor, BWV 1014
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata No. 22 in A major, K305
• Johannes Brahms: Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 78
• Lili Boulanger: Nocturne for violin and piano

The doors open at 19:30, giving guests the opportunity to buy a drink at the bar and experience the current exhibition titled Ad Lucem. Be captivated by the exhibition’s enchanting deep-blue photographic works created with cyanotype. Before and after the concert, the audience will also be able to ascend to the top of the tower and see Copenhagen glowing in the darkness.

The event is part of the program for LIGHTYEAR 2026 at the Round Tower — a full year in which we celebrate light and the 350th anniversary of Ole Rømer’s groundbreaking discovery of the speed of light.