With his five piano concertos, his sonatas and 24 preludes and fugues, Rodion Shchedrin is one of the most eminent composers of piano music of our time. A gifted pianist, he has given the first performances of most of his works himself. This concerto was written in honour of Bella Davidovich, to celebrate her 75th birthday. Her lyrical, elegant playing shows its influence in the character of the composition, with the ''lontano'' of the title being expressed in the frequent use of echo effects.