Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto was premiered in Boston by the German pianist and conductor Hans von Bülow after Nicolai Rubinstein – the composer’s first choice – contemptuously declared it unplayable. Bülow triumphantly telegraphed Tchaikovsky the news of the great success the work made, reprised it a few days later, and then quickly added it to his European concerts. The concerto has been a mainstay of heroic pianists ever since.

Come for:

Two of the hottest musicians in the world in the mother of all Romantic piano concertos.

And more:

Dudamel leads the LA Phil for the first time in music by Danish master Carl Nielsen, his powerful symphony about “the elemental will to live.”