On Sunday, October 19, 2025, young Chinese pianist An Tianxu, international piano master Mikhail Pletnev, and the Rachmaninoff International Symphony Orchestra made their debut together, kicking off a highly anticipated musical gala at the Zhongshan Park Concert Hall. An and Pletnev presented a timeless musical journey to Beijing audiences through their “duet for two pianos.” Conducted by Maestro Kirill Karabits, the three works—spanning Pletnev’s personal memories, romantic fantasies, and the national passion of the young Rachmaninoff—weaved a multi-layered and highly dramatic soundscape.
“Piano God”, the undisputed patriarch of the Russian piano school
- 1978 Tchaikovsky Competition winner
- Gramophone & Grammy Awards recipient
- Renowned authority on Rachmaninoff interpretations
- In June 2019, he won the 4th Prize and the Special Award for Courage and Restraint at the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition, marking the highest achievement by a Chinese pianist in the competition’s 24-year history and drawing international acclaim.
- In 2024, he made his debut at Vienna’s Musikverein (Golden Hall), collaborating for the first time with the Tonkünstler Orchestra and renowned Japanese conductor Yutaka Sado in a sold-out concert.
“Conductor of the Year” (Royal Philharmonic Society)
- Former Music Director of Weimar National Theatre
- Collaborated with world’s top orchestras & opera houses
- 2023 Horowitz Competition jury president
Pletnev’s personal ensemble
- Founded to honor Rachmaninoff’s legacy
- Unites elite musicians from Eastern & Western Europe
- Dedicated to artistic excellence in performance
Program
Mikhail Pletnev: 14 Musical Memories
— Intermission —
Mikhail Pletnev: Swiss Fantasy – Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Caprice Bohémien, Op. 12
