Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor; Holberg Suite; Lyric Suite / Bella Davidovich, Piano

Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor; Holberg Suite; Lyric Suite / Bella Davido

Label: Naxos (USA)
Catalog No: NXS 8571206
Format: CD
Release Date: 2012-05-29
Number of Discs: 1
Running time: 1 hr. 9 min.
Mono/Stereo: Stereo
UPC Code: 747313120673

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Notes & Reviews:

Edvard Grieg died over 100 years ago, but his music still retains a timeless magic and freshness. The Holberg Suite is based on the form of a French baroque dance suite, in this case one with unforgettable melodic charm. The Piano Concerto is deservedly popular, combining established Germanic structure with a wealth of warmly expressive romantic character and Norwegian dance rhythms. Grieg's Lyric Suite reflects Norwegian peasant life and nature, each movement representing a single mood, and the composer's remarkable skill in orchestration.

American Record Guide, September / October 2012
Given the Naxos low price, it can be recommended to anyone who responds to a quieter, more nuanced performance of this warhorse. Others may wish to explore performances with a more explosive response to the music; there's an almost endless supply.

Notes & Reviews:

Recording information: Seattle Center Opera House, USA.



Reviews

Grieg Piano Concerto; Holberg Suite; Lyric Suite
CDs containing Grieg’s beloved Piano Concerto, Op. 16, are always popular, and this medium-priced CD from Naxos should easily find its niche in what is already a very crowded field. When the 25-year-old Grieg wrote his only piano concerto, he was newly married to his cousin, Nina Hagerup, and the work reflects both his happiness and his Norwegian heritage. The concerto's well-deserved popularity stems mainly from the abundance of wonderful melodies, all expertly woven into a superb concerto that has been a world favorite practically since it was composed in 1868. The Soviet-born American soloist Bella Davidovich, always a sensitive artist, delivers a finely crafted performance, and the Seattle Symphony is expertly conducted by Gerard Schwarz.
The other two works on this all-Grieg CD are the Holberg Suite, Op. 40, and the Lyric Suite, Op. 54. Most of Grieg's output was for solo piano. Among his piano works are ten opus numbers of Lyric Pieces. The four movements comprising Op. 54 are orchestrated versions of four of the original piano pieces. Tom Illgen, annotator for the Napa Valley Symphony, wrote: "The four short pieces ideally display the finesse and facility that make Grieg’s miniatures such perfect little gems." These two orchestral works round out a beautiful CD that lovers of Grieg's music should not miss.
Ted Wilks

Submitted on 07/15/12 by Ted Wilks 
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Works Details

>Grieg, Edvard : From Holberg's Time, Op. 40
  • Conductor: Gerard Schwarz
  • Ensemble: Seattle Symphony
  • Running Time: 20 min. 48 sec.
  • Period Time: Romantic
  • Written: 1885

>Grieg, Edvard : Concerto for Piano in A minor, Op. 16
  • Performer: Bella Davidovich (Piano)
  • Conductor: Gerard Schwarz
  • Running Time: 31 min. 33 sec.
  • Period Time: Romantic
  • Form: Concerto
  • Written: 1868

>Grieg, Edvard : Lyric Suite for Orchestra, Op. 54
  • Conductor: Gerard Schwarz
  • Notes: Seattle Center Opera House, USA (05/29/1989-05/31/1989)
  • Running Time: 15 min. 7 sec.
  • Period Time: Romantic
  • Written: 1904