Customer Reviews

Ballad For Edvard Grieg

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Imagine my surprise when I received this CD, and after removing the shrink wrap discovered that 9 of the 10 tracks or 2 of the 3 works on this CD were re-issues. The Piano Concerto in A minor Op 16 is a reissue from 2002 and the 6 Lyric Pieces were originally issued on a wonderful disc in 2001. Until I looked at the notes inside the jewel case I thought these were new performances. Shame on EMI Classics for not telling its customers on the outside of the jewel case that the Piano Concerto and the Lyric Pieces were previously released. By the way both CD's are currently still in print. So you know the Lyric Pieces is catalogue number 7243 5 57296 2 0 and the Piano Concerto is catalogue number 7243 5 57562 2 0. And the recording industry wonders why people share music.Ballad For Edvard Grieg

Grieg's Ballade has to be one of the most neglected near-masterpieces ever written. Why do I say a "near-masterpiece"? B/C up until the coda it contains some of his most poignant piano writing ever. Unfortunately, when the coda begins the music turns garish, with empty virtuoso rhetoric ruining what would have been one of Grieg's major masterpieces. But with the final closing measures of the piece (an almost identical repeat of the opening theme), the piece ends as beautifully as it began.

Still, it's a piece worth hearing, and in quite an evocative performance and recording such as this one by Andsnes, you almost overlook the music's shortcomings. I almost wish that Andsnes (or another composer) would re-write the ending just to keep the music on the same high level of inspiration.

I too was a bit disappointed that EMI decided to reissue previous material to supplement the time on this disc. As it is, the Ballade, spendidly played as it is, is the only truly new recording. Couldn't Andsnes have recorded something new?

Leif Ove Andsnes is a world class concert pianist and his Ballad for Edvard Grieg perfectly showcases his style. Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor is exceptional. The clarity of the runs and dynamic performance are inspring. But the Ballad in G Minor is the best. Andsnes studied Grieg's drafts of this piece and his life, and clearly has tremdous feeling for this work. It is haunting, intense and beautiful. Andsnes has honored his fellow Norwegian very well. Best classical CD I've purchased.