From its soul-stirring opening melody to its heartfelt second movement sampled by the pop hit All By Myself, Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto needs no introduction. Pianist Alexei Volodin promises a passionate interpretation overpouring with brilliant virtuosity and sweeping romance. Conductor Daniel Raiskin leads the orchestra in Nielsen’s psychologically-charged Second Symphony, and Latvian composer Pēteris Vask’s „Musica Serena“.

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Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto

Centennial Theatre

Orpheum

Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody, a brilliant showpiece for virtuoso pianist, is probably the most admired of his works. An exercise of both compositional and pianistic prowess, it embodies his late style at its brilliant and witty best and has one of the world’s most irresistible melodies. Moments of Romantic outpourings hurtle towards a typical grandiose conclusion, but at the last moment it wittily becomes a whisper and ends impishly. Although his earlier works had shown flashes of what was to come, the Eroica was Beethoven’s first truly Romantic composition. It opens with two staggering chords that announce to the world the arrival of a new talent, a forceful personality, a man never to be forgotten. From that point on Beethoven was no mere composer – he was a creator of monuments. Strauss’ tone poem is a blend of sonata form and rondo. With Don Juan’s swashbuckling theme and the fountain of semi-quavers that opens the work, it exemplifies his exhilarating orchestral virtuosity.

Alexei Volodin

Events

Upcoming events

21 - 23 Feb, 2025

Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto · Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Apr 2, 2025

Romantic Rhapsody · Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Piano in Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

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