Gershwin's Piano Concerto with Maxim Lando
Hear Maxim Lando bring Gershwin’s Piano Concerto to life, blending classical brilliance with the swing and color of American jazz.
- Guest Artists
About This Piece
George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F Major blends the structure of a traditional concerto with the unmistakable rhythms, color, and spirit of jazz. Written after the success of Rhapsody in Blue, the work shows Gershwin expanding his musical world with a full orchestral score of his own, pairing virtuosic piano writing with lively, unmistakably American energy.
In this live recording from the Charleston Symphony’s April 2026 performance at the Gaillard Center, pianist Maxim Lando brings dazzling clarity and character to Gershwin’s bold solo writing. The concerto moves from its thunderous timpani opening and syncopated Charleston rhythms to a bluesy, nocturnal second movement and a brilliant finale filled with “rat-a-tat” piano figures, returning themes, and jazzy orchestral flourishes. The result is a performance that captures both Gershwin’s sophistication and his irresistible sense of swing.
