I had the privilege of seeing a live concert of this wonderful piano concerto when I was at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp last summer. Our teachers and mentors played in the orchestra behind the pianist. This was the first piano concerto I really came to love, I like the way Beethoven establishes a connection between the orchestra and the solo piano part. Of course, the piano takes center stage, but the orchestra is there for more than just a little backup harmony. When I listen to this concerto, it becomes obvious to me that the musical line the orchestra plays at any said time has (an important) impact on the pianist's line, and vice-versa. I guess it's always a composer's goal to make this happen but to me, this concerto seems to do more than just skim the surface.
I love the way this concerto ends and the way different themes and ideas are brought back several times throughout. Some things to listen for: double bass acting as a sort of "heartbeat" for the piano, especially in the second movement; and the orchestra getting louder over the piano so that the piano has to react- this happens throughout, but especially in the second half of the first movement.
This recording is of Glenn Gould on piano, with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karel Ancerl. There is also a short narrated introduction to the piece at the beginning.
Movement 1 Part A
Movement 1 Part B
Movement 2
Movement 2/3
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