Fabio Luisi conducts Tsjaikovsky’s Sixth Sympony

Nelson Goerner Plays Rachmaninoff

image: Peter Tollenaar

Fabio Luisi conducts two intensely romantic Russian works: Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony and Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto.

Much to our regret, artist in residence Yefim Bronfman called in sick. We are very grateful that Nelson Goerner will be joining us on tour to Luxembourg and Paris.

Nelson Goerner is making his debut with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Concert programme

  • Serge Rachmaninoff

    Piano Concerto No. 3

  • -- interval --

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Symphony No. 6 'Pathétique'

Performers

About this concert

Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, which the orchestra strongly condemns, lends even greater weight and significance to the programme. After careful discussions with our musicians, it was decided not to change any of it, as there is no relation between the invasion of Ukraine and the Russian composers whose music we are performing as part of this programme.

Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff: two champions of romanticism who shamelessly bared their melancholy Russian souls in their music. Both had an enormous talent for composing catchy, compelling melodies. 

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 gave rise to speculation. The composer had suggested that the work was a foreboding of his own death, and he died shortly after the premiere. According to Tchaikovsky’s brother, the symphony expressed nothing more or less than the various stages of a human life. But how poignant they sound here, especially with that deeply tragic final movement.

It makes perfect sense that Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 would become famous the world over. The opening theme is one of those heartfelt melodies you never forget, and the piano part is graceful and astonishing in equal measure.

Dates and tickets

About this concert

Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, which the orchestra strongly condemns, lends even greater weight and significance to the programme. After careful discussions with our musicians, it was decided not to change any of it, as there is no relation between the invasion of Ukraine and the Russian composers whose music we are performing as part of this programme.

Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff: two champions of romanticism who shamelessly bared their melancholy Russian souls in their music. Both had an enormous talent for composing catchy, compelling melodies. 

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 gave rise to speculation. The composer had suggested that the work was a foreboding of his own death, and he died shortly after the premiere. According to Tchaikovsky’s brother, the symphony expressed nothing more or less than the various stages of a human life. But how poignant they sound here, especially with that deeply tragic final movement.

It makes perfect sense that Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 would become famous the world over. The opening theme is one of those heartfelt melodies you never forget, and the piano part is graceful and astonishing in equal measure.

A preview