Mendelssohn & Tchaikovsky
22-year-old American pianist Maxim Lando has been lauded by The New York Times for his “brilliance and infectious exuberance.” He joins the PSO for performances of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s rarely-heard Piano Concerto No. 2. Felix Mendelssohn described his fourth symphony, inspired by the sights and sounds of Italy, as a “blue sky in A major.” Gioachino Rossini’s sparkling overture to L’italiana in Algeri marks the composer’s first foray into comic opera.
“He played with impressive delicacy … and there was wild-eyed danger”
– Anthony Tommasini for The New York Times
Program
Gioachino ROSSINI / Overture to L’italiana in Algeri
Felix MENDELSSOHN / Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 “Italian”
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY / Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 44
Key Notes 
- Rossini wrote a total of 39 operas, all before the age of 37.
- Mendelssohn began writing his fourth symphony during his tour of Italy in 1830-31. After its premiere, he continued to revise the work for the remainder of his life.
- The Andante non troppo movement of Tchaikovsky’s second piano concerto features solo violin and cello along with the piano, forming a piano trio.
Performers
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Maxim Lando, piano
Media
Maxim Lando in performance with the Cleveland Orchestra:
