"Tchaikovsky: Reload" Festival. Closing Concert

"I wish with all the strength of my soul that my music might spread, that the number of people who love it—who find in it solace and support—might grow," wrote Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in one of his letters. The works of this greatest of Russian composers have resonated deeply with audiences; for over a century and a half, his music has lived on in concert halls, in people’s hearts, and even within the creative output of contemporary composers.

The St. Petersburg Governor’s Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Anton Lubchenko, will perform rare works from the composer’s repertoire.

The Concert Fantasia for piano and orchestra combines exquisite virtuosity with heartfelt lyricism. Tchaikovsky composed it during a period of great creative inspiration; in a letter, he noted: "I feel a surge of energy and an impatience to begin something new." Although the premieres in Moscow and St. Petersburg were highly successful, the piece was rarely heard in concert halls during the first half of the 20th century.

The soloist for the Concert Fantasia—featured in the festival’s final program—will be the talented pianist Pavel Raikerus, whose interpretations are distinguished by refined taste and a meticulous attention to nuance.

The Third Orchestral Suite dates from the same period as the Fantasia. Tchaikovsky had originally intended to write a symphony, but the musical material that emerged led him toward a different genre. With its tender lyricism and graceful dance-like qualities, the Suite evokes a sense of serene joy and a bright, uplifting spirit.

This concert will conclude the "Tchaikovsky: Reload" festival, which took place in St. Petersburg from October 7 to November 29, 2026. Artistic Director of the Festival: Hans-Joachim Frey.

PROGRAM:

Pyotr Tchaikovsky – Concert Fantasia for Piano and Orchestra in G major, Op. 56;

Pyotr Tchaikovsky – Suite No. 3 in G major for Orchestra, Op. 55.

PERFORMERS:

Governor’s Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg,

Conductor: Anton Lubchenko;

Soloist: Pavel Raikerus (piano), laureate of international competitions.

St. Petersburg, St. George Hall of the State Hermitage Museum, November 29, 2026.