Symphony Hall, Boston
The premiere was postponed from December 1956 because Piatigorsky was ill. It took place at Symphony Hall, Boston, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Munch. It received its first British performance within weeks, on 13 February 1957, again with Piatigorsky, this time with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sir Malcolm Sargent at the Royal Festival Hall. The work was first recorded shortly after the premiere, with the original forces.