Скачать или смотреть Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor op. 16 - I. Allegro Molto Moderato (Zimmerman)

The Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, composed by Edvard Grieg in 1868, was the only concerto Grieg completed. It is one of his most popular works and is among the most popular of all piano concerti.

The first movement begins quite dramatically: An abrupt, crescendoing timpani roll kicks off the piano. The initial melody is heightened and intense, but not too overwrought. It’s a grand statement. Grieg announces himself as a force to be reckoned with in just under a minute. It’s not all about the piano, of course, with the cellos playing a wonderful refrain in their upper register just after the two and a half minute mark. After its somewhat bombastic opening, the piano shifts modes (and keys!), turning demure in C Major. The Allegro molto moderato alternates between flourishing piano solos and recapitulations of the main theme, but Grieg always manages to surprise, be it with whatever instrument takes the lead in echoing the theme, or just where exactly the movement goes. This is the concerto’s longest section, but the highest praise I can think to give it is that it doesn’t feel long. It’s never not a little thrilling and unexpected.

Performer: Krystian Zimmerman
Conductor: Herbert Von Karajan