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Background:

• Composed between November 1874 and February 1875. Revised in 1879 and 1888. First performed on October 1875 in Boston by Hans von Bulow, conducted by Benjamin Johnson Lang.
• It tells a story from a spirit of personal defiance, rich Slavic folk melodies. And its triumph over harsh criticism over its original composition.
• It is one of the most popular of Tchaikovsky’s compositions, and among the best known of all piano concerti.

Recordings:

• Piano Concerto No. 1.
  Vladimir Ashkenazy.
  London Symphony Orchestra.
  Lorin Maazel.
  Decca.

• Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23.
  Nikolai Demidenko.
  BBC Symphony Orchestra.
  Alexander Lazarev.
  Hyperion.
  Gramophone Magazine (2026): Editor’s Choice.

• The Three Piano Concertos, Concert Fantasia.
  Stephen Hough.
  Minnesota Orchestra.
  Osmo Vanska.
  Hyperion.
  Presto Recording of the Week (1020).
  Sunday Times (2010): Albums of the Year.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2022): Recommended.

• Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2.
  Denis Matsuev.
  Mariinsky Orchestra.
  Valery Gergiev.
  Mariinsky.
  Gramophone Magazine (2014): Recording of the Month.

• Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2; Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1.
  Sviatoslav Richter.
  Wiener Symphoniker.
  Herbert von Karajan.
  Deutsche Grammophon.

• Tchaikovsky & Medtner: First Piano Concertos.
  Yevgeny Sudbin.
  Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra.
  John Neschling.
  BIS.
  BBC Music Magazine (2007): Orchestral Choice.
  Gramophone Magazine (2007): Disc of the Month.
  Gramophone Awards (2007): Finalist Concerto.

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.