Rach 3 with Drew Petersen

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor is one of the most formidable works in the piano repertoire, famous for its staggering technical demands and sweeping emotional range. Composed for Rachmaninoff’s first tour of the United States, the concerto moves from an intimate, quietly unfolding opening theme to passages of breathtaking brilliance, thunderous power, and deep Romantic lyricism.

In this live Charleston Symphony recording from October 2024, pianist Drew Petersen stepped in at the last moment when the scheduled soloist became ill, taking on one of the most demanding concertos ever written with remarkable command. The result is a performance charged with focus and intensity, capturing the high-wire thrill of live music and the vast emotional world of Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece.