Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is one of the composer’s most frequently performed works. In particular, it is included in the mandatory program of the final round of piano competitions within the framework of the famous International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Oddly enough, the concerto, recognized as the first classic example of this genre in Russian music, was sharply criticized by the composer’s friend Nikolay Rubinstein in December 1874. In response to Rubinstein’s comments and advice to rework it, Tchaikovsky stated,
Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra
Creation period
1875
Place of сreation
Moscow, the Russian Empire
Dimensions
35,6x25,4 cm
132 sheets
132 sheets
Technique
paper, ink, pencil, red pencil
Collection
Exhibition
0
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I won’t change a single note.I won’t change a single note.
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The criticism was all the more upsetting for the composer, because it was Rubinstein to whom he was going to dedicate this work and entrust the first performance.
Tchaikovsky decided to give the sheet music to his student Sergey Taneyev, and he began to learn the concerto. However, Karl Klindworth, a professor at the Moscow Conservatory, recommended his friend, the outstanding German pianist Hans von Bulow, as a performer. In a letter to Tchaikovsky dated June 13, 1875, Hans von Bulow expressed his admiration for the new piece and announced that he would play it during his tour in America in the fall of 1875. The pianist carefully prepared for the first performance, #6
I had great pleasure mastering Tchaikovsky’s concerto dedicated to me. It takes a lot of effort, but it is worth it.
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On October 25, 1875, Bulow performed the concerto in Boston with the local Symphony Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Lang. On November 22, the concerto was performed in New York, with Walter Damrosch conducting. Bulow wrote to Klindworth,
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The concerto conducted by Damrosch was even better here than in Boston, it decisively won everyone over, and will be performed again on Saturday. Tchaikovsky has become popular in the New World.
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In Russia, the concerto was first performed on November 1, 1875 in St. Petersburg. The conductor was Eduard Napravnik, with Gustav Cross as soloist. Tchaikovsky was not happy with this performance. However, the Moscow premiere was a great success. The piano part was played by Taneyev, the orchestra was conducted by Nikolay Rubinstein, who revised his opinion about the piece.
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Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra
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Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
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Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra
Creation period
1875
Place of сreation
Moscow, the Russian Empire
Dimensions
35,6x25,4 cm
132 sheets
132 sheets
Technique
paper, ink, pencil, red pencil
Collection
Exhibition
0
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