Alexander Goehr - Piano Concerto (1972) [Score Video]

Alexander Goehr - Piano Concerto, Op. 33 (1972)
Pianist: Daniel Barenboim
Conductor: Lawrence Foster
Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Performance Audio (premiere): • Alexander Goehr Pian...
0:00 I
16:19 II
The Piano Concerto was composed in 1972. It is not an easy piece, but it is a rewarding one. The music is, of course, atonal and not only its melodies but the constant and delicate interplay between piano and orchestra sound very post-Schoenbergian, with the orchestra treated chamber-like and rarely used for mass. The ear is constantly aroused by unexpected and interesting twists of instrumental writing. Formally Goehr says he tried to combine the variation technique (his principal means for creating large forms in those years), with the traditional sonata form. It is a constant state of flux, with new musical events drifting in and out, not at random but with an underlying sense of logic and unfolding. An additional factor that makes Goehr's Concerto very effective is that he has avoided that pitfall, keeping his piano writing very coherent with the orchestra, always dry, lucid, crystalline, and very whimsical in mood.

[@MrInterestingthings]

I've heard dozens of 20th century pianoconcerti snd this is t he most memorable quiet entrance ever! Can't wait to hear the violin concerto!

[@robkeeleycomposer]

The Violin Concerto is an earlier, more obviously 12-tone piece, very dramatic. Can I also recommend 'Marching to Carcassonne' for piano and chamber ensemble, a much more recent piece, available on Naxos under Oliver Knussen and Peter Serkin (for whom it was written)

[@joaoschnier-qi3yd]

Wonderful sonorities!

[@robkb4559]

Excellent. Had the Goehr/Hamilton violin concertos disc back in my youth, must check out more of AG's music. Many thanks for uploading this.

[@robkeeleycomposer]

Thank you for posting this fascinating piece. Ionly know the Serkin/Knussen recording on NMC, so this is a real treat. Sandy always wrote so beautifully for the piano, and while I find the piece slightly overlong, it's full of fine music, with its Beethoven references and intricate, sophisticated piano writing - even though Sandy is no pianist!
Also worth seeking out is the much simpler 'Konzerstück for piano and chamber orchestra, also written for Barenboim to direct the ECO from the piano.

[@JosephOzielComposer]

Yeah definitely! I’ll be sure to check that piece out

[@chloroxiphite]

What a piece!

[@machida5114]

sodelicious...................

[@karllieck9064]

So boring. I'll stick to Barber's Piano Concerto.