Piano Concerto in A minor - Edvard Grieg

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mariss Jansons. Leif Ove Andsnes as the soloist.

I - Allegro molto moderato - Animato - Più lento - Animato - Tranquillo -Tempo I - Animato - Più lento - Cadenza. Adagio - Presto - Lento - Tempo I -Tempo I - Poco più allegro: 0:00
II - Adagio - Lento - (attacca): 12:41
III - Allegro moderato molto e marcato - Poco animato - Poco più tranquillo - Tempo I - Meno allegro - Tempo I - Quasi presto - Andante maestoso: 18:48

Grieg's Piano Concerto was composed in 1868, being premiered with great success by Edmund Neupert on April 3, 1869 in Copenhagen, with Holger Simon Paulli conducting. Grieg revised the work at least seven times, usually in subtle ways, but the revisions amounted to over 300 differences from the original orchestration. The final version of the concerto was completed only a few weeks before Grieg's death, and it is this version that has achieved worldwide popularity.

The work is compared to Schumann's concerto: it is in the same key; the opening descending flourish on the piano is similar; and the overall style is considered to be closer to Schumann than any other single composer. Grieg had heard Schumann's concerto played by Clara Schumann in Leipzig in 1858, and was greatly influenced by Schumann's style at the time, having been taught the piano by Schumann's friend Ernst Ferdinand Wenzel.

Grieg's concerto also shows his interest in Norwegian folk music; the opening flourish is based on the motif of a falling minor second followed by a falling major third, which is typical of the folk music of Grieg's native country. In the last movement of the concerto, similarities to the halling (a Norwegian folk dance) and imitations of the Hardanger fiddle (the Norwegian folk fiddle) have been detected.

The first movement is written in a modified sonata form. A timpani roll leds to a dramatic piano introduction. The main theme is melancholic and deeply romantic. In contrast, the second theme is widely lyrical and warm, presented by the cellos. The music rises in an excited climax at the end of the exposition, enhanced by trumpet calls. Follows the development section, being rather short. Then comes the recapitulation of the themes. The soloist then performs a virtuosistic cadenza in rhapsody form, beginning slowly before taking pace and energy while elaborating on the previous material. The movement ends brilliantly, with the same dramatic opening from the soloist.

The second movement is structured in ternary form. Begins with the strings presenting a calm, contemplative theme. The piano enters with a graceful counter-theme exposed in a brilliant way. The middle section opens with a more dramatic and energic variation of the previous material. A varied recaptilates returns back to the calm atmosphere of the beginning. The music leads directly to the final movement.

The third movement is written in sonata form. Opens with a rhythmyc theme of great strenght, influenced by the Norwegian Halling dance. The music rises in an inmense climax, followed by a virtuosistic solo of the pianist. The flute presents a pastoral second theme over the tremolos of the strings. The soloist takes this theme, ornate it and expands upon. When the music seems to fade away, the main theme reappears, starting the development. After a massive climax, the soloist performs a new cadenza, based on the main theme. The second theme reappears transformed in a majestical way, concluding the work in a brilliant coda.

Picture: "Red and White" (1899-1900) by the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch.

Musical analysis partially written by myself. Source: https://bit.ly/3f8pLvM

Видео Piano Concerto in A minor - Edvard Grieg канала Sergio Cánovas