LIVERPOOL concert-goers have evidently become Rachmaninov junkies.

It was the third time in four days that the Philharmonic Hall was full for Rachmaninov’s Fourth Piano Concerto, and the reception for the dynamic duo of Simon Trpceski and Vasily Petrenko was no less warm and welcoming.

Those of us there for Thursday’s stupendous performance of the concerto and the Second Symphony were able to compare Trpceski’s interpretation. If anything, marginally better – if that is possible.

The first movement made the most of those expansive, often bittersweet, melodies so beloved of Rachmaninov. And Petrenko coaxed some rich sounds out of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with each line in what is a complex score standing out superbly. He also allowed those smatterings of humour to shine forth.

But it was the slow movement which, again, stole the show. The piano writing is enigmatic, often sounding in advance of its time. Yet, bearing in mind that it was written in 1926 and other composers were experimenting with much more way-out stuff, it’s cannily true to its time.

Both soloist and conductor made the most of the stunning emotion of the movement, winding up to a great climax before gently letting it all down again, before entering into the explosive third movement. It was stormy at times, but both performers were in control. And the audience loved it.