Piano Concerto In A Minor / Symphonic Dances [Import]

Ohlsson (Artist), Academy St Martin (Artist), Grieg (Composer), Marriner (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: Marriner
• Composer: Grieg
• Audio CD (October 7, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hanssler Classics
• ASIN: B000003JPD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,645 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphonic Dances (4) for orchestra (or piano, 4 hands), Op. 64: No. 1, Allegro moderato e marcato in G major

2. Symphonic Dances (4) for orchestra (or piano, 4 hands), Op. 64: No. 2, Allegretto grazioso in A major

3. Symphonic Dances (4) for orchestra (or piano, 4 hands), Op. 64: No. 3, Allegro giocoso in D major

4. Symphonic Dances (4) for orchestra (or piano, 4 hands), Op. 64: No. 4, Andante: Allegro molto e risoluto in A minor

5. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16: Allegro molto moderato - Cadenza - Tempo primo

6. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16: Adagio

7. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16: Allegro moderato e marcato - Quasi presto - Andante maestoso

8. Bryllupsdag på Troldhaugen (Wedding Day at Troldhaugen), lyric piece for piano, Op. 65/6

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lush sound and technically brilliant!, November 3, 1999

By 

Piano lover Bob (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Concerto In A Minor / Symphonic Dances (Audio CD)

Ohlsson, the technical giant, doesn't need to 'show off' in this concerto, but the technique is brilliant when needed. The cadenza in the first movement starts very pianissimo and builds to a huge climax. The sound is gorgeous and the orchestra is bathed in a lush sound. Its one of the most beautiful Grieg Concertos recorded.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All Grieg Program, October 17, 2005

By 

Brett A. Kniess (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Concerto In A Minor / Symphonic Dances (Audio CD)

Grieg is an odd character; he was never very self-confident about composing, yet he received great success. Of Norwegian composers, Grieg believed Johan Svendsen his better, but history tells a much different story, and it is easy to tell why on this disk.

All of the works on this disk are in some way related to the piano. The Symphonic Dances, for example, were orginally meant to be a piano duet. Each of the four movements are in ternary form (ABA) and each has a Norwegian folk song associated with it. While compared to other romantic folk dance works of the time (Brahms, Dvorak, etc.) the melodies aren't the most ingenious or memorable, they do have a lot of charm, however, and Grieg's orchestration is exciting enough to overlook this.

The more famous piano concerto is excellently performed here by Garrick Ohlsson. He gives a robust interpretation, not pretentious at all, and the piano is well placed in the recording. The slow second movement is particularly moving, in both emotion and tempo, and the outer movements are played technically well with extra gusto from Ohlsson. While the classical music world probably doesnt need another recording of the Grieg concerto, this one stands with the competition, and unlike the others, this isn't programmed with the Schumann piano concerto.

Wedding Day at Troldhaugen is a re-orchestrated piano solo, played here with great romantic warmth and really is just an added bonus to an already well-programmed CD.

The playing of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is really good, if rather on the academic side. Garrick Ohlsson carries the concerto well, but the Symphonic Dances lack somewhat in the dance category. Also, the hall the orchestra is playing in is a tad bit too swimmy. All that being said, the performance and all the balances are good along with an outstanding piano solo. Try this one out if you can.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, May 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Piano Concerto In A Minor / Symphonic Dances (Audio CD)

I love this song!! I am currently in piano lessons and a girl I am taking lessons with played this beautifully! I found this CD and listened to the song over and over! It was a wonderful CD! Thanks!