Chailly conducts Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and First symphony

Riccardo Chailly conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - image: Renske Vrolijk/Concertgebouworkest

Riccardo Chailly conducts Rachmaninoff’s popular Second Piano Concerto and the long-suffering First Symphony.

Hearing Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto will undoubtedly be an exciting experience.

Concert programme

  • Serge Rachmaninoff

    Piano Concerto No. 2

  • -- interval --

  • Serge Rachmaninoff

    Symphony No. 1

Performers

About this concert

Riccardo Chailly likes to take the road less travelled. Even with Rachmaninoff (who was born 150 years ago in 1 April 1873) as the main ingredient, the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s conductor emeritus manages to serve up a surprising menu. Here, he juxtaposes Rachmaninoff’s popular Second Piano Concerto with the long-suffering First Symphony.  

The disastrous premiere of the work and the scathing reviews plunged Rachmaninoff into a deep depression, from which he emerged only two years later thanks to intensive hypnotherapy. The Piano Concerto No. 2, which then flowed from his pen, became an instant classic and established its well-earned place in the canon.

Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1 fell into oblivion. Reconstructed nearly fifty years later, it has since proved to be a masterpiece, albeit one which is rarely performed. It’s high time for a reappraisal of this richly melodious symphony!

Dates and tickets

About this concert

Riccardo Chailly likes to take the road less travelled. Even with Rachmaninoff (who was born 150 years ago in 1 April 1873) as the main ingredient, the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s conductor emeritus manages to serve up a surprising menu. Here, he juxtaposes Rachmaninoff’s popular Second Piano Concerto with the long-suffering First Symphony.  

The disastrous premiere of the work and the scathing reviews plunged Rachmaninoff into a deep depression, from which he emerged only two years later thanks to intensive hypnotherapy. The Piano Concerto No. 2, which then flowed from his pen, became an instant classic and established its well-earned place in the canon.

Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1 fell into oblivion. Reconstructed nearly fifty years later, it has since proved to be a masterpiece, albeit one which is rarely performed. It’s high time for a reappraisal of this richly melodious symphony!

A preview