Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 & Early Works
Lucerne Festival 2024

In summer 2024, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and Riccardo Chailly journeyed through Rachmaninoff’s earliest works, which offer an intimate glimpse into his budding genius. The program began with his “Scherzo in D minor,” a dynamic, youthful piece reflecting his early fascination with vivid orchestration. This was followed by the rarely performed “Symphonic Movement in D minor,” or “Youth Symphony,” a piece composed in his teens that hints at the depth and drama he would later explore more fully.

A highlight of the evening was Rachmaninoff’s “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in F-sharp minor,” Op. 1, performed by the acclaimed young pianist Alexander Malofeev. Written when Rachmaninoff was just 18, the concerto reveals his early command of expressive themes and technical brilliance. Malofeev’s interpretation, combining youthful vigor with profound artistry, breathed fresh life into this early masterpiece. Chailly praises the young pianist, recalling his first impression: “He was only fourteen yet he amazed me with his talent. (…) He was not just a child prodigy: he was very young, but already possessed depth and technical abilities.”