Grieg, Edvard Hagerup.
Chapter 5. Piano Concerto in A minor
Although much of Grieg's music output until his marriage was miniature for voices, orchestra and piano, his concerto, written at Sollerod in Denmark when he was 25, is accepted today as one of the most popular piano concertos in the concert repertoire. His Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 6, is the virtuoso's dream: it is flamboyantly showy, full of hauntingly beautiful melodies, and whilst no recognisable folk tunes are apparent, they influence the whole structure of the piece. It was written at a time when Edvard and Nina were experiencing great joy at the birth of their daughter, Alexandra, on 10th April 1868. But this happiness was short-lived for Alexandra was to die 13 months later. With her death something went out of their marriage, and what had been a union of souls became more of a professional partnership
Grieg had met Liszt in Rome in 1869 and later showed his concerto to him and immediately played it faultlessly on sight. He professed a great admiration for the concerto, and suggesting a few amendments which Grieg immediately accepted. Liszt was to encourage Edvard Grieg to write great music. This he did - with the exception of opera.
[Home Page][Music Index][Grieg Index]
[Folk
Culture][Peer Gynt][Influences Abroad][Nina and Toldhaugen][Piano Concerto in A Minor][Opera][Summary][Favourite Music][Quotes]