Thread: Hvoslef's Piano Concerto

http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/725828/

I don't know if anyone can play this clip outside of this country, but I'll give it a try.

Watch this in its entirety: The Piano Concerto written by the norwegian composer Ketil Hvoslef in 1993.
He describes it as an echo concerto, and he has an intensely personal musical language, with a lot of tensions and bold rhythms. Some parts remind me of Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony. (But with much smaller forces.)

It's one of my favourite concertos. I'll share it, and I hope you will enjoy it as well (if you have modern ears).

I was at a performance of this concerto by Leif Ove Andsnes in the opera in Oslo. Was a nice concert.

Originally Posted by Krisena

I was at a performance of this concerto by Leif Ove Andsnes in the opera in Oslo. Was a nice concert.

Mr. Andsnes is a pianist possessing, skill, imagination and judgement. But he needs considerable help from an orchestra to perform a concerto.

The link provided by @berghansson requires a plug-in I am reluctant to activate. Do either of you know if Andsnes has recorded the work?

I don't believe the concerto has ever been recorded It should!

Hehe, you're right. He played with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. To say they, too, possess some skill is an understatement.

Originally Posted by berghansson

I don't believe the concerto has ever been recorded It should!

There is, I think, a lot of music from the countries north of the Baltic, from the Classical period onward, that ought to be performed elsewhere, and recorded. [Damn, that is a long sentence - with a lot of commas.] Bis and Finlandia have done some good, but there is much more to be done.

I'm actually not a fan of andsnes, i really don't like most of his playin. But this was alright :-)

Originally Posted by Ravndal

I'm actually not a fan of andsnes, i really don't like most of his playin. But this was alright :-)

I suppose Mustonen is my favorite pianist from above the Baltic. But in music new to me I need to hear a 'central' interpretation before hearing his; he can be, ah, imaginative.

One of the reasons i think he is overrated is this:

Listen to his version of "Arietta", by Grieg. http://open.spotify.com/track/74M0tufPG2qehuK9an637o

And now listen to another norwegian musician, same piece: http://open.spotify.com/track/2YIaZvqivJGIFvyeDR2YUr

Andsnes plays the piece like a machine, and it's not romantic at all.


OT: Great concert. Just finished hearing it.