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Description
The Piano Concerto in A minor was composed by Edward Grieg in 1868. He was only 24 years old pianist then, visiting Denmark which he loved for it’s climate. This concerto is one of his most popular works, and among the most popular of all piano compositions altogether. The premiere of this concerto was a huge success, it took place in Copenhagen. Initially Grieg himself was supposed to perform (he was an excellent pianist by the way), but he was unable to travel on that day. A famous Danish pianist Edmung Neupert played at the premiere, on a grand piano belonging to another great pianist, Anton Rubinstein. The concerto immediately recognizable from first seconds. The opening flourish “downhill” passage typical of Norwegian folk music, is a trademark of all piano music. But there was a tragic moment in it’s history. In 1951, a Russian-born pianist Simon Barere collapsed while playing this passage, in a performance at “Carnegie Hall” in New York. He died backstage shortly afterwards. Some people were saying it was because of demonic nature of this passage.
HomeOrchestra arrangements of classical music standards is a very desirable addition to a school orchestra repertoire. It allows to choose a young pianist from the school and give them an unprecedented opportunity to shine as a soloist of a symphonic orchestra!
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Credits: Eva Smolokovskaya, piano / “Orquesta Reino de Aragon” orchestra / Ricardo Casero, conductor
