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Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3

Isata Kanneh-Mason conquers the legendary “Everest of piano concertos” and Delyana Lazarova makes her debut as Principal Guest Conductor with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

A quiet pulse, and a long, chant-like melody that seems to breathe the air of old Russia – it’s an unlikely way to begin one of the most difficult and brilliant piano concertos ever created. Rachmaninov’s Third has been called the “Everest of piano concertos” but if anyone’s equipped to scale it, it’s the superb young British virtuoso Isata Kanneh-Mason and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s newly-appointed Principal Guest Conductor Delyana Lazarova.

Delyana places the Rachmaninov at the centre of a concert designed to showcase her own musical passions, whether Jessie Montgomery’s playful letter from America, Samuel Barber at his most explosive, or Claude Debussy’s impressionist seascape – music driven by the swell of waves and the sparkle of sunlight.

Recorded at Glasgow's City Halls on Thursday 27 November 2025, presented by Andrew McGregor.

Jessie Montgomery: Strum
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor

c. 8.25pm: interval

c. 8:45pm:
Barber: Medea's Dance of Vengeance
Debussy: La mer

Isata Kanneh‐Mason, piano
Delyana Lazarova, conductor
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

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2 hours, 14 minutes

Last on

Thursday19:30

Music Played

  • Jessie Montgomery

    Strum

    Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Delyana Lazarova.
  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Piano Concerto No 3 in D minor Op.30

    Performer: Isata Kanneh‐Mason. Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Delyana Lazarova.
  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Cello Sonata in G minor, Op 19 (i. Lento - Allegro moderato)

    Performer: Sheku Kanneh‐Mason. Performer: Isata Kanneh‐Mason.
    • Muse.
    • Decca.
  • Samuel Barber

    Sure on this shining night, Op. 13 No. 3

    Performer: Isata Kanneh‐Mason. Performer: Sheku Kanneh‐Mason.
    • Muse.
    • Decca.
  • Samuel Barber

    Medea's Dance of Vengeance

    Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Delyana Lazarova.
  • Claude Debussy

    La Mer

    Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Delyana Lazarova.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Trio in G major Op.1`2 (4th mvt)

    Ensemble: Rautio Piano Trio.
    • Beethoven: Piano Trios, Op. 1, Nos. 1 & 2.
    • Resonus Classics.
    • 8.

Broadcast

  • Thursday19:30