Rachmaninoff's Other Side Unveiled in Sofia

The Sofia Philharmonic will present Rachmaninoff, the Genius’ Other Face on May 15 at Bulgaria Hall, celebrating the lesser-known works of the 20th-century musical titan Sergei Rachmaninoff. The program features his Piano Concerto No. 4 and Symphony No. 3, performed by acclaimed pianist Violetta Egorova and maestro Epifanio Comis, CE Report quotes BTA

Though overshadowed by his more famous compositions, both works reveal Rachmaninoff’s complex emotional world and bold stylistic evolution. Premiered in 1926, Concerto No. 4 was initially met with confusion for its modernity, while the deeply personal Symphony No. 3, written in exile and premiered in 1936, faced early criticism for being “melancholic” and “outdated.” Over time, both pieces have gained recognition for their emotional depth, championed by renowned conductors like Yevgeny Mravinsky and Vladimir Ashkenazy.