Grieg - Piano Concerto P. Grainger & Kristiansand Symfoniorkester

• 1 Piano Concerto in a Minor, Op. 16 - I: Allegro Molto Moderato 12:27
• 2 Piano Concerto in a Minor, Op. 16 - Ii: Adagio 05:38
• 3 Piano Concerto in a Minor, Op. 16 - Iii: Allegro Molto Moderato E Marcato 09:53
• 4 Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Op. 65 No. 6 05:24
• 5 Album Leaf, Op. 28 No. 1 01:33
• 6 Album Leaf, Op. 28 No. 2 02:57
• 7 Erotikon, Op. 43 No. 5 02:53
• 8 To Spring, Op. 43. No. 6 02:50
• 9 Sonata for Violin and Piano, No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 45 - I: Allegro Molto Ed Appassionato 08:38
• 10 Sonata for Violin and Piano, No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 45 - Ii: Allegretto Espressivo Alla Romanza 06:34
• 11 Sonata for Violin and Piano, No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 45 - Iii: Allegro Animato 06:34
• Total Runtime 01:05:21

Info for Grieg - Piano Concerto

The magic of a 'time machine' brings Percy Grainger's original performance back to life in this modern surround-sound recording with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rolf Gupta. Edvard Grieg himself bears witness to the validity and authenticity of Grainger's interpretation through his own enthusiastic endorsement: 'I had to become sixty-four years old to hear Norwegian piano music interpreted so understandingly and brilliantly. He breaks new ground for himself, for me, and for Norway. And then this enchanting, profound, serious, and childlike naturalness! What a joy to gain a young friend with such qualities!'

In 2007, conductor Rolf Gupta gave the first Norwegian performance of Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor with the legendary Australian pianist Percy Grainger (1882-1961) as the posthumous soloist. On this recording, the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra accompanies Grainger's original and controversial interpretation of the concerto. In addition, the violinist Øyvind Bjorå and pianolist Rex Lawson perform Grieg's Violin Sonata in C minor. The recording also includes a handful of Grieg's Lyric Pieces, performed by the composer himself. Astonishingly, these performances have not been available to the public until now.

Two different instruments have facilitated Grainger's and Grieg's encounters with the KSO/Gupta in modern times. Grainger plays on a form of musical time machine, the Duo-Art reproducing piano, which is something like an analogue predecessor of the computer, powered by an electric suction pump, and controlled automatically by perforated rolls of paper. Grieg, on the other hand, has been restored to life by means of a foot-pedalled pianola, played by Rex Lawson. For this recording, both instruments were fitted in front of a Steinway concert grand piano and re-performed the playing of Grainger in 1921 and Grieg in 1906.

“Overall… this is a fascinating interpretation, and the final pages are utterly thrilling.” (BBC Music Magazine)

Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
Percy Grainger (piano)
Kristiansand Symfoniorkester, Rolf Gupta
Lyric Pieces Op. 65: No. 6 - Wedding Day at Troldhaugen
Album Leaf, Op. 28 No. 1 in A flat major
Album Leaf, Op. 28 No. 2 in F major
Lyric Pieces Op. 43: No. 5 - Erotikon
Lyric Pieces Op. 43: No. 6 - To Spring
Percy Grainger (piano)
Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45
Øyvind Bjorå (violin)


Performer
Percy Grainger, piano
Kristiansand Symfoniorkester
Rolf Gupta, conductor
Edvard Grieg, piano
Øyvind Bjorå, violin
Rex Lawson, pianolist


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Booklet for Grieg - Piano Concerto