Piano Concerto (Paderewski)
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The Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17, is the only piano concerto written by the Polish composer and pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski. It was written in the composer's twenties, with the first movement dating back to 1882,[1] although the majority of the work was composed in 1888 and scored in 1889. After its completion, the composer showed the concerto to his friend Saint-Saëns, who admired it, and especially the andante movement.[2] It premiered the same year in Vienna, achieving great success, where it was conducted by Hans Richter.
| Piano Concerto | |
|---|---|
| by Ignacy Jan Paderewski | |
The composer around 1892 | |
| Key | A minor |
| Opus | 17 |
| Period | Romantic |
| Composed | 1888 |
| Movements | 3 |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 20 January 1889 |
| Location | Vienna |
The work was dedicated to Paderewski's teacher[3] Theodor Leschetizky.
Composition
The concerto is scored for solo piano, piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes (2nd doubling English horn), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, and strings.
It is divided into three movements:
- Allegro
- Romanze. Andante
- Finale. Allegro molto vivace (A major)
The piano concerto usually lasts from 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the interpretation.
Notable recordings
- Earl Wild in 1971 with Arthur Fiedler and the London Symphony Orchestra
- Piers Lane in 1991 with Jerzy Maksymiuk and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
- Janina Fialkowska in 1999 with Antoni Wit and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
- Ian Hobson in 2002 with Jerzy Maksymiuk and Sinfonia Varsovia.
- Dang Thai Son in 2018 with Vladimir Ashkenazy and Philharmonia Orchestra.
- Claire Huangci in 2019 with Shi-Yeon Sung and Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern.
