A short history of the piano concerto, part 7: no sobbing, just fireworks.
In the first half of the twentieth century the piano concerto changed dramatically. Gone were the romantic lyricism and grand emotions: the piano was given a completely different role.
In this episode we will hear how the Russian maestro Dmitry Shostakovich, the half-French neoclassicist Igor Stravinsky and the Hungarian innovator Béla Bartók definitively reshaped the piano concerto.
Unusual orchestrations, no more romantic sobbing and at times a good deal of forceful pounding on the keys. So… fasten your seatbelts!
Playlist
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Dmitry Shostakovich – Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35
André Previn, piano / William Vacchiano, trumpet / New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein -
Igor Stravinsky – Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments
Carl Seemann, piano / Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Thomas Scherman -
Béla Bartók – Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1, BB.91, Sz.83
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano / San Francisco Symphony Orchestra conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen
