Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

After the disastrous initial reception of his First Symphony, the highly sensitive Rachmaninov needed three years of psychotherapy and hypnotic rehabilitation before he dared to write another note. The work with which he overcame the agonising failure of his symphony was his Second Piano Concerto, which he unsurprisingly dedicated to his therapist. Whereas his First Piano Concerto begins aggressively, his Second begins with a bell-like tolling on the piano that swells up from nowhere. This concerto requires technical mastery and analytical thoroughness. Qualities that pianist Nelson Goerner certainly has, as well as his obvious rhetorical talent. The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra pair this immensely popular work with Debussy's most influential orchestral works. In La Mer Debussy paints maritime panoramas with orchestral pastels, whereas in Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, his enchanting sound poem, he opens with mellifluous flute tones. Russian and French splendour reconciled in one concert. 

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