The story of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 begins not with a flourish of triumph, but with a moment of crushing heartbreak. In 1874, the hopeful composer presented his freshly completed masterpiece to Nikolai Rubinstein, one of the world's most revered pianists, hoping for his talented friend’s approval (and perhaps a premiere). 

What Tchaikovsky received instead was a vehement rejection. 

"... [A] torrent broke from Rubinstein’s lips," Tchaikovsky recounted in a letter several years after the incident, "gentle at first, gathering volume as it proceeded, and finally bursting into the fury of a Jupiter. My concerto was worthless, absolutely unplayable ... only one or two pages were worth anything; all the rest had better be destroyed."

Ouch! The brutal assessment left the composer astonished and hurt—but rather than capitulate, Tchaikovsky reached deep inside himself and famously refused to alter a single note. 

This dramatic clash is part of what makes Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto one of the most compelling works in the repertoire of piano showpieces. Its legendary difficulty is not mere hyperbole; it is documented history. Born of conflict, the concerto demands a level of heroic virtuosity that pushes human limits. 

On November 7-9 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Orchestra opens its Masterworks season by inviting one of Italy's foremost concert pianists, Alessio Bax, to tackle this musical Mount Everest. Bax possesses the rare combination of competitive mettle, fiery passion, and interpretive depth required to render this battle of will into a spectacular conquest.

A Virtuoso Forged in Fire

Alessio Bax first catapulted onto the international stage by achieving the rare feat of capturing First Prize at two of the world’s most demanding competitions: the 1997 Hamamatsu International Piano Competition and the 2000 Leeds International Piano Competition. These victories established his reputation as an artist whose technique is not only consummate but utterly reliable under the most tremendous pressure.   

Yet, Bax's artistry extends far beyond technical firepower. He graduated with top honors at the remarkably young age of 14 from the Niccolò Piccinni Conservatory in his hometown of Bari, Italy. His training instilled a devotion to the expressive style of bel canto, or “beautiful singing,” which critics consistently identify as one of Bax’s signature strengths.   

Gramophone praised Bax as "among the most remarkable young pianists now before the public,” specifically noting his ability to fuse "exceptional lyricism and insight with consummate technique." When applied to the Tchaikovsky concerto—a work that demands both thunderous power in the opening chords and heartbreaking tenderness in the slow movement—this blend promises a performance that is not just a display of strength, but a profoundly moving, multidimensional musical journey.   

His global engagements confirm Bax’s stature: He’s become a familiar face on stages across five continents and has appeared as a soloist with more than 150 orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, collaborating with conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Marin Alsop, Sir Simon Rattle, and Jaap van Zweden. Furthermore, his role as artistic director of Tuscany’s Incontri in Terra di Siena festival highlights his mature commitment to the arts, bringing a sophisticated, curatorial perspective to his work that is far beyond that of the typical touring virtuoso.   

The Program: Power, Passion, and Poetry

Sarasota Orchestra’s new music director, Giancarlo Guerrero, leads this blockbuster concert, which is designed for maximum emotional impact. Two other spectacular works anchor the Tchaikovsky concerto: Jennifer Higdon’s ethereal blue cathedral and the vibrant, nostalgic energy of Rachmaninoff’s last orchestral testament, Symphonic Dances. This pairing of two Russian Romantic giants, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky, underscores the program’s immense virtuosic and emotional scale, promising an intense—and intensely fulfilling—experience from start to finish.   

To learn more and purchase tickets to Masterworks: Symphonic Dances, visit Sarasota Orchestra’s website or call the Box Office at 941-953-3434. All programs and featured artists are subject to change.