Grieg: Piano Concerto, Op.16

Introduction

The Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, composed by Edvard Grieg in 1868, was the only concerto Grieg completed. It is one of his most popular works and among the most popular of all piano concerti.

Structure

The concerto is in three movements:

1. Allegro molto moderato (A minor)

   The first movement is noted for the timpani roll in the first bar that leads to a dramatic piano flourish, which leads to the main theme. Then the key changes in C major, for the secondary theme. Later, the secondary theme appears again in the recapitulation, but in A major. The movement finishes with a virtuosic cadenza and a similar flourish as in the beginning. The movement is in the Sonata form.

2. Adagio (D-flat major)

   The second movement is a lyrical movement in D-flat major, which leads directly into the third movement.

3. Allegro moderato molto e marcato – Quasi presto – Andante maestoso (A minor → F major → A minor → A major)

   The third movement opens in A minor 2/4 time with an energetic theme (Theme 1), which is followed by a lyrical theme in F major (Theme 2). The movement returns to Theme 1. Following this recapitulation is the 3/4 A major Quasi presto section, which consists of a variation of Theme 1. The movement concludes with the Andante maestoso in A major, which consists of a dramatic rendition of Theme 2 (as opposed to the lyrical fashion with which Theme 2 is introduced).

Performance time of the whole concerto is usually just under 30 minutes.