Russian Piano Concertos

Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1 has one of the most recognisable opening melodies in classical music. Deemed 'unplayable' when it first burst onto the concert scene in 1875, this concerto has since gone on to become a favourite with audiences due to its sweeping melodies and virtuoso piano part.

Exactly a quarter of a century later, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 follows on from this Russian tradition with another famous opening, a piano solo that builds from nothing to an epic melody revealing an emotional work written after Rachmaninoff’s recovery from severe depression. Enjoy these two magnificent works in an all-Russian piano concerto program.