Rachmaninoff's piano

I can't tell you how overwhelmed I was, what shock I experienced today in the city of Lucerne, where I will perform the concert with Lucerne Orchestra, organized by the Foundation of Rachmaninoff tomorrow. I am going to play Third Piano Concerto by Sergei Vasilyevich. 

Music Hall in Lucerne is unique per se. But today when I came on the stage, I was shocked, because the piano of Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff stood there. That very piano from Villa Senar, I played 6 years ago when  I recorded unknown Rachmaninoff’s works.

Natalia Rachmaninoff, widow of Alexander Borisovich Rachmaninoff, made such a great surprise to all of us. And, frankly, emotions are overwhelming and soaring, because tomorrow for the first time the piano of Rachmaninoff will sound at the concert. Since 1929, when it was presented as a gift to the composer by American Steinway, the piano’s never left Villa Senar. Rachmaninoff did all his famous recordings, compose music and practice on this piano. I’ve told this story and shared my impressions about the sound of this incredible piano with you for many times already. Fate gave me the opportunity to play this piano 6 years ago, and it was a great happiness, but such a gift of Fate in the person of Natalya Rachmaninoff as today I have not expected.

It's an incredible feeling, because the sound of the piano on the stage differs from how it sounded in the Villa. Everyone who was at the rehearsal in the hall and in the orchestra was shaken by this sound. This is such a unique event for all, that you cannot find appropriate words to describe what I feel right now. 

And I really want to share the happiness that I feel in anticipation of tomorrow's concert.