Edvard Grieg

Concerto for Piano in A minor, Op. 16

Written by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) in 1868, the Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 is the only concerto completed by Grieg. It remains one of his most popular works and is among the most popular concerti for piano in the repertoire. Similar to, and perhaps influenced by, Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto, the work also provides some evidence of Grieg's interest in Norwegian folk music, with the cascading motif of a falling minor second followed by a falling major third in the opening flourish typical to the folk music of the composer's native country. Recorded by Wilhelm Backhaus in 1909, this piano concerto is the first to ever be recorded, albeit heavily abridged to only six minutes due to technological limitations. Instrumentation: 2(2dPicc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Piano.