Daniil Trifonov - Destination Rachmaninov, Departure

Daniil Trifonov’s recording of Rachmaninov’s four piano concertos with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra was a project long in the planning. Such is the nature of things when it comes to aligning the schedules of an internationally sought-after virtuoso, an equally in-demand conductor and a large orchestra. On this occasion, however, the complex organisation involved in bringing all the artists together was mirrored by the elaborate preparations involved in creating the unique visual concept for the two albums, later released as part of a Destination Rachmaninov complete edition.

The images chosen for Departure and Arrival were inspired by a very specific period in the composer’s life. Between November 1922 and March 1923, Rachmaninov spent much of his time in his own private railway carriage as he toured the US and Canada. Comfortably equipped with sleeping accommodation, a bathroom compartment and an observation platform, it also had space for a piano, so that he could practise whenever he wanted. It was from this unusual state of affairs that the DG team developed the idea of a railway-based theme as the leitmotif for the visual elements of this product family.

Listen here