Andrzej Panufnik - Piano Concerto (Kupiec)

Andrzej Panufnik - Koncert na fortepian i orkiestrę
Alt. Concert for Piano and Orchestra
Originally published in 1962
Sheet music is from the 1986 revision
Soloist: Ewa Kupiec
Conductor: Łukasz Borowicz
Orchestra: Konzerthausorchester Berlin
I. 0:00 - Entrata: Moderately Fast
II. 4:25 - Larghetto molto tranquillo: very slow (in four)
III. 14:33 - Presto molto agitato: very fast (in one)
Andrzej Panufnik's (1914-1991) life was an exciting one filled with failed romances, wars, underground movements, and a defection that made international front pages. There is a kind of tragic irony to the story because all Panufnik wanted was quiet enough to compose. Despite his rocky life, he managed to compose more than most composers with an impressive output and an equally impressive conducting career.
The composer had this to say regarding this concerto:
"My purpose in writing my Piano Concerto was to compose a virtuoso work for the pianist which would give him the chance to demonstrate his capacity for poetic expression as well as his technical skill and bravura. I wanted also to exploit and explore the sonoric range of the piano, through from sustained, singing notes to very dry, percussive sounds. In addition, I wanted to make the orchestra's participation one of real significance, with a powerful role to play, meanwhile of course never permitting it to overwhelm the piano part, relying rather on contrasts of textures of sound."
-Andrzej Panufnik (From: www.boosey.com/cr/music/Andrz...)