Igor Levit, Ivan Fischer, Budapest Festival Orchestra: Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concertos I

In doing so, Igor Levit, whom the New York Times has hailed as one of the “most important artists of his generation,” brings Prokofiev's musical development from early talent to mature composer to life. A truly once-in-a-lifetime event!

• Prokofiev: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10
  
• Prokofiev: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in G major, Op. 55
  
• Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, Op. 100
  

Piano Concerto No. 1 marks Prokofiev's debut as both concert pianist and composer: he played the work himself at its premiere in St. Petersburg in 1912, a rare occasion when composer and soloist became one. The concerto is full of youthful boldness: rapid runs, sharp harmonic turns, and ironic moments already reveal his characteristic blend of virtuosity and wit.

The Piano Concerto No. 5, composed in 1932, is one of Prokofiev's most technically demanding works. Its premiere in Berlin under Wilhelm Furtwängler immediately brought the concerto international attention. Rhythmic sophistication, lyrical passages, and orchestral brilliance make it a kaleidoscope of contrasting moods—a highlight of the 20th-century piano repertoire.

The Symphony No. 5, written in 1944, is Prokofiev's monumental testimony to the Second World War: triumphant, energetic, and at the same time emotionally profound. It shows how Prokofiev translates great history into music without losing sight of his pianistic masterpieces.