Behzod Abduraimov won the 2009 London International Piano Competition at the age of 18 with a performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 — a victory that marked his graduation from a prodigy to a celebrated musician. In his new album recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra led by Vasily Petrenko, Abduraimov pairs Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto with the lyrical Piano Concerto No. 1 of Alexey Shor. “By juxtaposing these two works, I want to offer listeners a striking contrast: the depth and complexity of Prokofiev’s world against Shor’s more lyrical and accessible approach,” says Abduraimov. “Each piece reflects different facets of the human experience, and I believe there is value in sharing this diversity of sentiment, texture, and mood. I hope this pairing brings something refreshing and thought-provoking to listeners.”