Piano Concerto (Grieg)
Grieg's only piano concerto, completed at age 24.
Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. It is among the most popular of the genre, written when Grieg was 24 years old.
- composer
- Edvard Grieg
- key
- A minor
- opus
- 16
- movements
- 3
- typical_performance_duration
- about 30 minutes
- instrumentation
- solo piano, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, strings
Lore & Background
It is often compared to Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto, being in the same key and featuring a similar opening flourish. The work provides evidence of Grieg's interest in Norwegian folk music; the opening flourish is based on a motif typical of Norwegian folk music, and the last movement shows similarities to the halling dance and imitations of the Hardanger fiddle.
Reader's Guide
Grieg himself was the intended soloist but could not attend due to commitments in Christiania. The concerto is the first piano concerto ever recorded, by Wilhelm Backhaus in 1909, though heavily abridged to six minutes. Its enduring popularity has ensured its use in films, television, and popular music, including a famous parody by Franz Reizenstein and a sketch by the comedians Morecambe and Wise.
Did You Know?
- The concerto is the first piano concerto ever recorded, by Wilhelm Backhaus in 1909, though heavily abridged to six minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Piano Concerto (Grieg) and how many movements does it have?
The concerto is structured in three movements and runs roughly 30 minutes from downbeat to final chord. That duration makes it a staple of both concert programming and recital repertoire.
Why is Piano Concerto (Grieg) considered important?
Because it is Grieg's one and only finished concerto, it carries the full weight of his contribution to that genre. Its popularity has made it one of the most recognized and performed piano concertos in the classical canon.
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