Broken chords, powerful and triumphant, followed by a maudlin melody - this is how Pyotr Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto begins. It is a work of majestic beauty and deeply felt expression that unfolds its full radiance in Olga Schep's hands.

With her sensitive interpretation and virtuoso brilliance, the Moscow-born pianist traces every note, because this is music that is practically in her blood. While it was the subject of much debate during Tchaikovsky's lifetime, the work enjoys great popularity today.

Less well known, but no less fascinating, is Tchaikovsky's first symphony, which bears the nickname "Winter Dreams". It captures the frosty yet beautiful Russian winter in musical images that the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sergey Smbatyan, will bring to life at this year's season opener in Wiesbaden's Kurhaus.