Yunchan Lim Performs Rachmaninoff With Philadelphia Orchestra
The 22-year-old pianist brings a celebrated concerto to the Kimmel Center for a series of five sold-out performances.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Classical
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Pianist Yunchan Lim performed Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center. The series consists of five consecutive performances scheduled to increase ticket sales.
Why it matters
The scheduling change follows concerns regarding the performance frequency of the 22-year-old virtuoso. The program links the rising star to the orchestra's historic 1940 recording of the same concerto with the composer.
Yunchan Lim previously won the 2022 Van Cliburn Competition playing this specific Rachmaninoff concerto. Tickets for the current Philadelphia performances range from $85 to $254.
The players
Yunchan Lim
He is a 22-year-old pianist who gained international recognition after winning the 2022 Van Cliburn Competition.
Philadelphia Orchestra
This prestigious musical organization famously recorded Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the composer himself in 1940.
Peter Smith
He is a musician who performed the oboe solo during the presentation of Samuel Barber's Symphony in One Movement.
The details
Lim concluded the performance with a five-minute encore of the third movement of the concerto. During the program, Peter Smith also provided an oboe solo for Samuel Barber's Symphony in One Movement.
Timeline
1940: The Philadelphia Orchestra recorded the concerto with the composer.
2022: Yunchan Lim won the Van Cliburn Competition.
2023: Yuja Wang performed all Rachmaninoff concertos in one concert.
Oct. 31, 2026: The performance of Yunchan Lim playing Rachmaninoff occurred.
Nov. 5-15, 2026: The Philadelphia Orchestra Asia Tour and China Residency is scheduled.
Industry Dynamics
The choice to schedule five consecutive nights marks a departure from standard programming to capitalize on the high demand for virtuoso soloists. This strategy mirrors the success seen in 2023 when Yuja Wang performed all of Rachmaninoff's concertos in a single event.
Attendees can secure seats for the remaining performances through the organization's primary ticketing platform. The price point for these tickets reflects the high demand for the program's featured soloist.
The takeaway
Lim's encore performance highlights the enduring popularity of Rachmaninoff's work in the modern concert repertoire. Concertgoers should check the orchestra's schedule early, as high-profile pianist residencies often sell out quickly.
What happens next
The Philadelphia Orchestra is scheduled to conduct an Asia Tour and China Residency between Nov. 5 and Nov. 15, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more upcoming programs and artist features on the Classical section page.
More information
To purchase tickets for upcoming shows, visit the Philadelphia Orchestra ticket purchase portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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