Philharmonia Orchestra
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 3
Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 4
Vladimir Ashkenazy conductor
After Prokofiev’s early and evocative orchestral picture, Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto grows from a simple opening to become the fullest reflection of the many aspects of the composer’s personality, ranging from tender romanticism to unclouded exhilaration. Tchaikovsky’s powerful Fourth Symphony is one of his most successful large- scale works. The opening fanfare, said to represent the power of fate, is followed by a lyrical slow movement and pizzicato scherzo. In the finale, the fanfare returns to striking effect as the work drives to its headlong conclusion.