All Rachmaninoff

The Philadelphia Orchestra had a historic connection to the great Russian composer, celebrated in this program exclusively of his works. Rachmaninoff’s setting of Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting poem “The Bells”
received its U.S. premiere in Philadelphia in 1920 with Leopold Stokowski. Inspired by an anonymous letter, Rachmaninoff was drawn to Poe’s text, composing this choral symphony. Between each of the four movements, Poe’s original text will be dramatically recited in English to capture the full essence of the words and music together. His Fourth Piano Concerto was premiered in Philadelphia with the composer at the keyboard. Rachmaninoff was forced to leave Russia during the Revolution, and this lush and luxurious Concerto was his first completed work after nine years in exile.