Roland Pöntinen, piano • Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra • Leif Segerstam
This album features two of the most beloved piano concertos in classical music history: Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor.
Tchaikovsky’s concerto sparked dramatic reactions at its debut—rejected by its original dedicatee Nicolai Rubinstein, who called it “unplayable,” only to later perform it himself after it became a global success. Its premiere was given instead by Hans von Bülow in Boston, far from its Russian roots.
Grieg’s concerto, meanwhile, had a triumphant debut in Copenhagen in 1869. It quickly captured the hearts of listeners and critics alike with its lyrical miniatures woven into a larger symphonic form. A famous moment came when Franz Liszt sight-read the entire concerto, erupting theatrically at the final theme with praise for its originality.
Pianist Roland Pöntinen delivers virtuosic and expressive interpretations, accompanied by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Leif Segerstam.
A thrilling and passionate recording that showcases two Romantic masterpieces.