NSOI: Ivanov Plays Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
John Wilson, conductor
Emanuil Ivanov, piano

Grażyna Bacewicz Overture
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1
Rachmaninov Symphony No. 3

Winner of the Busoni International Piano Competition in 2019, Emanuil Ivanov brings dazzling technique and poetic sensitivity to Tchaikovsky’s iconic First Piano Concerto, a romantic showstopper and one of the most beloved works in the piano repertoire.

Famous for its punchy brass, striking opening chords and memorable melodies, the concerto has become a favourite with audiences the world over. Originally rejected by his friend and mentor Nikolay Rubinstein, for whom it was written, Tchaikovsky offered it to German pianist and conductor Hans von Bülow, who premiered the work in Boston in 1875 and helped launch its enduring success.

The programme continues with Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony, written between 1935 and 1936 during Rachmaninov’s self imposed exile from Russia after 1917. With plush melodies and rich harmonies, it moves from delicate solo passages to sweeping orchestral climaxes.

The concert opens with Grażyna Bacewicz’s Overture, written during the German occupation of Poland. The piece contains a musical message of hope, with the Morse code for “V”, symbolising victory, beaten out on the timpani during the piece.

Under the baton of John Wilson, one of the most exciting and meticulous British conductors of his generation, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland explores the emotional depth and grandeur of these orchestral masterpieces in a performance of intense, swooning romanticism.

Date: Saturday 3rd October 2026
Venue: SETU Arena, Waterford
Running time: Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes, including a 20 minute interval

NSOI in Waterford in association with Symphony Club of Waterford.

Tickets available from Symphony Club of Waterford here