Open Rehearsal: Boris Giltburg plays Prokofiev and Rachmaninov

Programme

Two infamous concertos are paired with two Russian symphonic poems in this evening’s programme.  

We’re joined by stellar pianist Boris Giltburg, praised internationally for his emotional depth, deep musicality and outstanding technique. He treats us to not one but two iconic concertos of the piano music repertoire: Prokofiev’s Third and Rachmaninov’s Second.  

Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, famous for its fiendishly demanding solo passages, has rightfully earned its place as a firm audience favourite. The composer himself admitted before the piece’s premiere: “My Third Concerto has turned out to be devilishly difficult”. The athletic demands of the soloist, paired with its soaring, lush melodies, makes this one of Prokofiev’s greatest masterpieces.  

Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is consistently in the top rankings in the Classic FM Hall of Fame – and with good reason. It’s a passionate outpouring of creativity: stormy strings, achingly lonely clarinet, and a piano part with more memorable melodies than many composers write in a lifetime.   

And we’re in excellent hands for this performance. A true expert in Rachmaninov’s music, Giltburg’s previous performances of his piano music have been hailed for his ‘aristocratic, unsentimental virtuosity reminiscent of Rachmaninov’s own recordings’ (The Spectator).  

Before each concerto, we give the players of the orchestra their chance to shine in two dramatic symphonic poems: Rachmaninov’s evocative The Rock, and Mussorgsky’s stormy A Night on the Bare Mountain which promises to thrill audiences with its wild and terrifying Witches’ Sabbath. 

This concert was originally advertised with Evgeny Kissin as soloist, performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Scriabin’s Piano Concerto. Unfortunately, due to ill health, Kissin is no longer able to perform with us at this concert. We are grateful to Boris Giltburg for stepping in at short notice.