Although today they rank among the leading works of the symphonic repertoire, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 5 did not have an untroubled beginning. When the composer presented his Concerto to the pianist Nikolai Rubinstein, the latter dismissed it as “trivial and clumsily written.” And yet the Concerto — with its distinctive melody following the opening chords, a folk tune the composer had heard from a blind beggar on the streets of Kyiv — was destined to become one of the most beloved works in the history of music.
The Fifth Symphony becomes the arena in which Tchaikovsky confronts fate. The motif of destiny runs through all four movements of the work, carrying the music from anguish to triumph.
The Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra and Vassilis Varvaresos — one of the most significant Greek pianists of his generation — are conducted by the inspired maestro Dionysis Grammenos.
CO-PRODUCTION
Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra
Megaron the Athens Concert Hall
