2015 is the 175th anniversary of Tchaikovksy’s birthday. It is also 140 years since the premiere of that great warhorse, his Piano Concerto No 1. In his first disc with an orchestra – the first of many, we must hope – the versatile American-Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein plays the second version in a world-premiere recording. Even if you do not immediately spot the differences – the softer opening and arpeggio chords, the subtle changes in dynamics or orchestration – this is a performance of such refinement, strength and commitment that you stop worrying. The work, beautifully accompanied by all, takes on new, limpid colours. Gerstein, whose discs with viola player Tabea Zimmermann have been excellent, brings the same quality of musicianship to Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 2. This is the kind of serious, intelligent and virtuosic music-making that keeps classical music alive.
