Notes and Editorial Reviews
To mark the centennial of Grieg's death in 1907, EMI has reissued Leif Ove Andsnes' 2002 A minor concerto with Mariss Jansons and the Berlin Philharmonic (originally coupled with the Schumann A minor) alongside six Lyric Pieces culled from 2001 sessions recorded on Grieg's piano on location at the composer's villa in Troldhaugen. I reviewed their original CD incarnations for Classicstoday.com, and if anything my favorable comments ring truer with time. However, a July, 2007 recording of the G minor Ballade provides a new and welcome addition to Andsnes' discography.
In contrast to the uncluttered sentiment and fiery bravura that distinguish the Ballade's classic historic recordings by Leopold Godowsky and Arthur Rubinstein,
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Andsnes looks the music's darker undercurrents squarely in the eye, as his rather austere yet beautifully shaded shaping of the folk-song theme reveals. Notice also the yearning quality Andsnes brings to Variation Two's descending two-note phrases while at the same time bathing the background filigree in ravishing colors.
At first Variation Four scintillates less than you'd expect, but the extra kick and characterization in the left hand's juicy cross-rhythms more than compensate. The Liszt-like climaxes manage to exude both impulsive energy and aristocratic refinement, with Andsnes holding out that strange, disruptive low E-flat forever and a day. To be sure, collectors who want the Ballade but already own the aforementioned concerto and Lyric Pieces discs may not wish to shell out full price for just 19-plus minutes of new material. That, dear readers, is why I take digital downloads seriously!
--Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Concerto for Piano in A minor, Op. 16 by Edvard Grieg
Performer:
Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano)
Conductor:
Mariss Jansons
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1868/1907; Norway
Venue: Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
Length: 12 Minutes 44 Secs.
Notes: Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany (12/20/2002 - 12/22/2002)
2.
Ballade for Piano in G minor, Op. 24 by Edvard Grieg
Performer:
Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1875-1876; Norway
Date of Recording: 07/15/2007
Venue: Potton Hall, Suffolk, England
Length: 19 Minutes 20 Secs.
3.
Lyric Pieces (6), Book 6, Op. 57: no 6, Homesickness by Edvard Grieg
Performer:
Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1893; Norway
Date of Recording: 12/2001
Venue: Grieg Museum, Troldhaugen, Norway
Length: 4 Minutes 55 Secs.
4.
Lyric Pieces (6), Book 7, Op. 62: no 6, Homeward by Edvard Grieg
Performer:
Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1895; Norway
Date of Recording: 12/2001
Venue: Grieg Museum, Troldhaugen, Norway
Length: 2 Minutes 53 Secs.
5.
Lyric Pieces (6), Book 9, Op. 68: no 5, Cradle song by Edvard Grieg
Performer:
Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1898; Norway
Date of Recording: 12/2001
Venue: Grieg Museum, Troldhaugen, Norway
Length: 3 Minutes 2 Secs.
6.
Lyric Pieces (6), Book 8, Op. 65: no 6, Wedding day at Trolhaugen by Edvard Grieg
Performer:
Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1897; Norway
Date of Recording: 12/2001
Venue: Grieg Museum, Troldhaugen, Norway
Length: 6 Minutes 23 Secs.
7.
Lyric Pieces (6), Book 9, Op. 68: no 4, Evening in the Mountain by Edvard Grieg
Performer:
Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1898; Norway
Date of Recording: 12/2001
Venue: Grieg Museum, Troldhaugen, Norway
Length: 3 Minutes 53 Secs.
8.
Lyric Pieces (7), Book 10, Op. 71: no 7, Remembrances by Edvard Grieg
Performer:
Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1901; Norway
Date of Recording: 12/2001
Venue: Grieg Museum, Troldhaugen, Norway
Length: 2 Minutes 2 Secs.
Sound Samples
Piano Concerto in A minor Op.16: I. Allegro molto moderato
Piano Concerto in A minor Op.16: II. Adagio
Piano Concerto in A minor Op.16: III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato - Andante maestoso
Lyric Pieces, Bk VI Op. 57: Lyric Pieces Op.57: No. 6 Homesickness (Heimweh)
Lyric Pieces, Bk VII Op. 62: Lyric Pieces Op.62: No. 6 Homeward (Hjemad)
Lyric Pieces, Bk IX Op. 68: Lyric Pieces Op.68: No. 5 Cradle song (Bådnlåt)
Lyric Pieces, Bk VIII Op. 65: Lyric Pieces Op.65: No. 6 Wedding Day at Troldhaugen (Bryllupsdag på Troldhaugen)
Lyric Pieces, Bk IX Op. 68: Lyric Pieces Op.68: No. 4 Evening in the mountains (Aften på höjfeldet)
Lyric Pieces, Bk X Op. 71: Lyric Pieces Op.71: No. 7 Remembrances (Efterklang)
Humoresque Op.6 No.2 in G# Minor
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
Wonderful January 17, 2013
By Bernard Berridge (Moss Beach, CA) See All My Reviews
"This is the finest rendition of Grieg's piano music that I have ever listened to!"
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