Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1

Classical Music / Piano Concertos

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed the Piano Concerto No. 1in B♭ minor, Op. 23 between November 1874 and February 1875. It was revised in 1879 and in 1888. It was first performed on October 25, 1875, in Boston by Hans von Bülow after Tchaikovsky's desired pianist, Nikolai Rubinstein, criticised the piece. Rubinstein later withdrew his criticism and became a fervent champion of the work. It is one of the most popular of Tchaikovsky's compositions and among the best known of all piano concertos.

From 2021 to 2022, it served as the sporting anthem of the Russian Olympic Committee as a substitute of the country's actual national anthem as a result of the doping scandal that prohibits the use of its national symbols.

 

Featuring: 

The legendary pianist Martha Argerich performs Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 (FULL), with Charles Dutoit, conducting the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, 1975.

 

 

Brief History 

Tchaikovsky revised the concerto three times, the last in 1888, which is the version usually played. One of the most prominent differences between the original and final versions is that in the opening section, the chords played by the pianist, over which the orchestra plays the main theme, were originally written as arpeggios. Tchaikovsky also arranged the work for two pianos in December 1874; this edition was revised in 1888.

The work is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in B♭, two bassoons, four horns in F, two trumpets in F, three trombones (two tenor, one bass), timpani, solo piano, and strings.

Structure.  The concerto follows the traditional form of three movements:

1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso – Allegro con spirito (B♭ minor – B♭ major)
2. Andantino semplice – Prestissimo – Tempo I (D♭ major)
3. Allegro con fuoco – Molto meno mosso – Allegro vivo (B♭ minor – B♭ major)

A standard performance lasts between 30 and 36 minutes, the majority of which is taken up by the first movement.

 

Resource: 

Piano Concerto No. 1 (Tchaikovsky).  en.wikipedia.org.   

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