This album features the world premiere recording of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in its 1879 version, which is the composer's own preferred version.
Performer Biography
Pianist Kirill Gerstein, born in Russia, taught himself jazz by listening to his parents' record collection and was invited to Berklee College of Music by jazz legend Gary Burton at age 14.
Composition History
Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 is presented in its second version because the original orchestral score was lost and likely burned for heating during the Russian Revolution.
Performer Biography
Kirill Gerstein is the sixth recipient of the prestigious Gilmore Artist Award, which is presented every four years to an exceptional pianist and enabled him to commission new works from several composers.
Composition History
Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 exists in three versions; the third, published posthumously, has been the most commonly heard for over a century but varies significantly from Tchaikovsky's own versions.
Composer Biography
Prokofiev, while composing his Second Piano Concerto, was intensely occupied with Tchaikovsky's music and life, and even declared himself an admirer of Tchaikovsky after hearing his 6th Symphony.
Composition History
Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 was initially met with a scathingly negative review from pianist Nikolai Rubinstein, a foremost Russian musician, who criticized both the musical material and virtuosity.
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