Grieg & Schumann: Piano Concertos - Stephen Kovacevich & Sir Colin Davis CD

• UPC: 8718247710195
• Product Type: Audio CD
• Brand Name: Newton Classics
• MPN: 8802019
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Romantic / Orchestral
• Composer: Edvard Grieg (1843–1907), Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
• Artist: Stephen Kovacevich (Piano)
• Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Sir Colin Davis
• Release Year: 2010 (Original recordings 1970–1971)

Product Features

• Format: 1 Compact Disc (CD)
• Recording Mode: ADD Stereo
• Total Timing: 60'00
• Recording Location: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London (September 1970 and January 1971)
• Manufactured in: The Netherlands

Overview

This Newton Classics release pairs two of the most beloved piano concertos in the Romantic repertoire, performed by the legendary American pianist Stephen Kovacevich (then known as Stephen Bishop). Accompanied by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Colin Davis, these recordings are widely regarded as benchmark interpretations. The Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor is celebrated for its lyrical folk-inspired melodies and dramatic flair, while the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor is prized for its poetic intimacy and seamless dialogue between soloist and orchestra. Captured in the early 1970s, these performances balance youthful energy with profound musical insight.

Interesting Facts

• The Duo: Stephen Kovacevich and Sir Colin Davis enjoyed a long and fruitful musical partnership, particularly in their recordings for the Philips label, of which these are prime examples.
• A Shared Key: It is a common tradition to pair these two concertos because they are both in the key of A minor and share a similar "Romantic" spirit, though they were composed decades apart (Schumann in 1845, Grieg in 1868).
• Critical Acclaim: Upon their initial release, these recordings received numerous awards and have remained in the catalog for over fifty years, often cited by critics as the first choice for these works.
• The Venue: Walthamstow Assembly Hall is a favorite recording venue in London, known for its superb natural acoustics that provide a warm, clear sound for large orchestral works.

Track Listing

Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 16

1. I. Allegro molto moderato — 12'25
2. II. Adagio — 6'44
3. III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato – Quasi presto – Andante maestoso — 10'12

Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54

1. I. Allegro affettuoso — 14'42
2. II. Intermezzo: Andantino grazioso — 5'31
3. III. Allegro vivace — 10'26

Publishers

• Label: Newton Classics B.V.
• Copyright: ℗ 1971 Universal International Music B.V. / © 2010 Newton Classics B.V.
• Art Direction & Design: Jan Martin Wilschut BNO

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