Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 | Martha Argerich, Charles Dutoit & the Verbier Festival Orchestra

The very first bars of this piano concerto are so distinctive that they will remain in the listener's memory forever. Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 is recognizable and catchy. Charismatic piano virtuoso Martha Argerich lends an elegant lightness to this impressive piece. Conducted by Charles Dutoit, Argerich performed with the Verbier Festival Orchestra at the Verbier Festival in 2014.

(00:00) Coming on stage
(00:18) I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso
(20:36) II. Andantino semplice
(27:38) III. Allegro con fuoco

(35:53) Encore: Robert Schumann: “Scenes from Childhood,” Op. 15, No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is considered the most important Russian composer of the 19th century. He was born in 1840 in Votkinsk and studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory with Anton Rubinstein from 1862. His compositions combined Russian folk music with western music influences. Tchaikovsky wrote several symphonies and operas, as well as "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake," the most famous ballets in music history.

Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op, 23 is considered one of the most popular piano works to this day. Tchaikovsky completed it in 1875, the same year it premiered in Boston. With its concise, rhythmic runs and its focused energy, it thrilled audiences then as it does today.

Argentine-Swiss pianist Martha Argerich is considered a "lioness of piano." Born in Buenos Aires in 1941, she moved to Europe with her family in 1955. Argerich gave her first concert at the age of seven. In 1965, as a young woman, she won the legendary International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, which was considered a sensation at the time and helped her rise to stardom. Since then, she has played with leading orchestras in the most renowned concert halls in the world. In 2005, she received the acclaimed and prestigious "Praemium Imperiale." Marta Argerich is considered a living musical legend.

Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1936, conductor Charles Dutoit has had a stellar musical career. He has conducted more than 150 orchestras over the span of his long career. In 1977, he became the artistic director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and recorded more than 80 CDs. Dutoit and Argerich were married for several years. In 2017/18 Charles Dutoit faced #MeToo allegations and was the center of sexual harassment scandal which led to several orchestras cutting ties with the star conductor.

The Verbier Festival Orchestra is made up of highly talented young musicians and was founded in 2000. It offers young artists the opportunity to gain concert experience under the direction of leading conductors.

The Verbier Festival is considered the summit meeting of classical music stars. It has been held once a year in the Swiss Alps since 1994. In addition to the extensive concert program, the festival offers up-and-coming artists an opportunity to work with the very great artists of the classical music scene. Martha Argerich is a regular guest at the festival.

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[ИгорьДымченко-кл]

This Woman is ICON OF PIANISM.
GREATEST WOMAN OF 20-21 CENTURY.

[lingnguyen]

The more I watch Argerich the more respect I have for her.

[wolfie]

I’m so glad Tchaikovsky refused to change a single note after the harsh criticism of Rubinstein. This work is truly a masterpiece!

[PADARM]

Martha Argerich, A Living Legend. We are so blessed that she has such a long career.

[reybarreto]

Her fingers flutter like hummingbird wings upon the keyboard, moving at such a dazzling speed, it doesn’t seem humanly possible.

[PanchoGHT]

Miss Argerich isn’t only playing the piano, she is actually directing the concert !

[lorbekales]

I'm a pianist; but what a performance without notes ... I can only say she's perfect. Tchaikovsky would be proud of her.

[alicemiller]

Love how she still has time to tuck her hair behind her ear between such complex piano chords 😊

[haukesievers]

Argerich is one of the greatest pianists of the world for so many decades 🌟👍🏼

[JC]

I am 93 years old. I have watched and listened to pianists most of my life. Of all the many, Ms Argerich is by far the greatest pianist of my lifetime. The pleasure of her musicality and technique are beyond wonderful.

[NathanaelSaintCyr]

The older you are the longer it takes to warm up in front of an audience, and yet Argerich is present and ready from the first note. What an amazing individual she has turned out to be. Truly one of the greatest pianists to have ever lived and this is the proof. In her later years she remains a giant, an insurmountable giant.

[gubscruz]

Someone who can play at this level in they're 80s is just outside of my comprehension

[onkelmarvin]

Tchaikovsky is without any discussion, one of the greatest classical music moves you to you you will continue to do

[ChristopherDriver-on]

Martha is ranked among the best in the world. You can hear why. Bravo Martha

[David-R.]

That lady's brain and character are something else!! She's magnificent!

[alimad]

I was rised in a small farm in Poland. We had no electricity then and had a battery powered radio.
I remember our clasical music comentator Mr Boguslaw Kaczynski commenting a very young Martha Argerich performance during Chopin's Festival in Warsaw, Poland. He said: I remember a little Martha playing under the piano when her mother was getting ready for the competition.
I am MUCH older now. Live is good because of THE music.

[markusklemm]

When the pianist drives the orchestra and the cunductor... :) Wonderful. Martha is such an outstanding pianist.

[carlosreyescamargo]

The Martha's fingers fly in the piano.
She it's Unique and I love his music.
One of the Best Argentian Interpreter. The music bring us happiness !

[vdubluv]

The way her fingers just glide over the keys is so magical! She makes it look effortless!

[meredith]

Argerich is one of the very few pianists who can really make me sit up and listen to this warhorse of a concerto. Aside from her stunning pianistic abilities she really listens and interacts with the orchestra like the superb musician she is. To show she is not simply a keyboard athlete she plays with exquisite simplicity the first piece from Kinderszenen as an encore. What a lady!.