Prokofiev / Shor: Piano Concertos

Behzod Abduraimov's performance of Prokofiev's monumental Piano Concerto No. 2 has been eagerly anticipated by his fans. At its premiere in 1913 near St. Petersburg, the concerto caused a scandal because it was considered too futuristic. The version we hear today was reconstructed and revised by Prokofiev himself in 1923, as the original version was burned when he left Russia. Abduraimov presents the piece with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and its conductor Vasily Petrenko in an impressive interpretation. In stark contrast is Alexey Shor's Piano Concerto No. 1, which was composed and premiered in 2023. Abduraimov is delighted by the juxtaposition of the two works: "The depth and complexity of Prokofiev's universe stand in contrast to Shor's lyrical and accessible art: Each work reflects different facets of the human experience, and I think it is good to convey this diversity of emotions, textures, and moods."