The Concerto. Just a symphony with a soloist, right? Au Contraire mon frere! There is nothing as thrilling, as dramatic as the concerto. Especially a piano concerto. The soloist doesn't just play the role of "soloist." NO! He stands amidst that imposing orchestra representing you and me! The Individual against the mob! Think, Mr. Smith goes to Washington, Luke Skywalker versus Darth Vader, Tank Man at Tienanmen Square, even David versus Goliath! There is nothing like a concerto to get the blood pumping.
Beethoven's piano concerti, are a prime example of this battle of wits. Even in this early work (when he was still writing classical style concert music) you can feel the tension between the two combatants.
I could go on about the structure of this piece. How it is a classic Sonata style piece and how interesting certain key changes are blah, blah, blah. But just listen to this first movement with the idea of the individual overcoming the collective and you'll get the essence.
There are some really great writing that just make me smile. For example, around minute 7 in the first part, the orchestra is playing very dramatically and they come to the last chord of the phrase at 7:17 and the piano just steals the last chord, then changes direction completely. It completely emasculates the orchestra.
Then the cadenza begins around the 2:45 mark of part 2. A cadenza is the section of the concerto where one feels the end of the movement is approaching. The orchestra plays a chord marking the final phrase and the soloist starts playing a solo for the next few minutes. Think of a Rush concert where in the middle of a song Neal Peart starts playing a drum solo for five or so minutes. Same concept.
So if you are like Wesley in The Princess Bride and enjoy a battle of skill, strength, and wit, welcome to THE CONCERTO!
Enjoy.
Beethoven's piano concerti, are a prime example of this battle of wits. Even in this early work (when he was still writing classical style concert music) you can feel the tension between the two combatants.
I could go on about the structure of this piece. How it is a classic Sonata style piece and how interesting certain key changes are blah, blah, blah. But just listen to this first movement with the idea of the individual overcoming the collective and you'll get the essence.
There are some really great writing that just make me smile. For example, around minute 7 in the first part, the orchestra is playing very dramatically and they come to the last chord of the phrase at 7:17 and the piano just steals the last chord, then changes direction completely. It completely emasculates the orchestra.
Then the cadenza begins around the 2:45 mark of part 2. A cadenza is the section of the concerto where one feels the end of the movement is approaching. The orchestra plays a chord marking the final phrase and the soloist starts playing a solo for the next few minutes. Think of a Rush concert where in the middle of a song Neal Peart starts playing a drum solo for five or so minutes. Same concept.
So if you are like Wesley in The Princess Bride and enjoy a battle of skill, strength, and wit, welcome to THE CONCERTO!
Enjoy.
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