In episode 263, Noel Mewton-Wood plays the last two parts of the piano concerto from Ferruccio Busoni, and Pjotr Iljitsj Tsjaikovski’s Piano concerto no. 2.
Busoni’s piano concerto is one of the most difficult compositions there is. Not only because of its length (70 minutes), but also because of a piano part that makes the highest demands on the soloist, conductor and orchestra.
This hour, you will hear a special live performance from 1948 of the last two movements of the concerto, played by Australian pianist Noel Mewton-Wood. The 4th movement is an energetic Tarantella. The 5th movement also features a male choir.
In the second part of the programme, Mewton-Wood plays Piano Concerto no. 2 by Pjotr Iljitsj Tsjaikovski. The live recording was made around 1952.
Playlist:
- Ferruccio Busoni: Piano Concerto, Op.39 (part 4-5)
Noel Mewton-Wood (piano), BBC Men’s Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham (recording from 1948) - Pjotr Iljitsj Tsjaikovski: Piano Concerto no. 2, Op.44 in G major
Noel Mewton-Wood (piano), Winterthurer Symphoniker conducted by Walter Goehr (recorded around 1952)
Technician: Marco Wensveen
If you would like to leave a comment, please send an email to: geoffreymadge@concertzender.nl
