Prom 42 (7.09.21) - Benjamin Grosvenor Performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Tuesday 7 September 2021
Royal Albert Hall

Unsuk Chin: Subito con forza BBC co-commission: UK première
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 4 in G major (cadenzas: Saint-Saëns)
Camille Saint‐Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, 'Organ'

Benjamin Grosvenor piano
Anna Lapwood organ
Hallé Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder conductor

‘What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again.’ So wrote Camille Saint-Saëns of his last – and greatest – symphony, a work full of melody, invention and sonic drama (not to mention a piano duet effect he liked so much he recycled it in The Carnival of the Animals). Just as the mighty ‘Organ’ Symphony rewrote the 19th-century musical rules, so Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto scandalised audiences some 80 years earlier, with its revolutionary opening and tender, slow-movement battle between soloist and orchestra – famously compared to Orpheus taming the Furies. Beethoven is also the inspiration for Unsuk Chin’s volatile Subito con forza, given its UK premiere here by Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

‘What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again.’ So wrote Camille Saint-Saëns of his last – and greatest – symphony, a work full of melody, invention and sonic drama (not to mention a piano duet effect he liked so much he recycled it in The Carnival of the Animals). Just as the mighty ‘Organ’ Symphony rewrote the 19th-century musical rules, so Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto scandalised audiences some 80 years earlier, with its revolutionary opening and tender, slow-movement battle between soloist and orchestra – famously compared to Orpheus taming the Furies. Beethoven is also the inspiration for Unsuk Chin’s volatile Subito con forza, given its UK premiere here by Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé.

None of this rubbish has anything to do with me.

[Ein Heldenleben]

None of this rubbish has anything to do with me.

I have read quite a lot of Beethoven biography but never heard that the fourth “scandalised” any one at the premiere . It was bitterly cold , a long concert with the first outing of some of the greatest works in the repertoire and the Choral Fantasia performance fell apart but oh to have been there !

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have read quite a lot of Beethoven biography but never heard that the fourth “scandalised” any one at the premiere . It was bitterly cold , a long concert with the first outing of some of the greatest works in the repertoire and the Choral Fantasia performance fell apart but oh to have been there !

I know. But why should the truth prevent a good BBC headline?

[Bryn]

I know. But why should the truth prevent a good BBC headline?

Possibly just a reference to breaking tradition by opening with solo piano. The horses must have been terrified. No wonder Beethoven went on to revise it, though not the opening.

[Alison]

Really intrigued to hear Ben G in the LvB4.

Quite a big gig for Anna L who has openly talked about concert nerves and hasn’t played in public so very much. Best of luck to her I say.

Her transcription of Britten Sea Interludes, recorded at Ely Cathedral, comes out early next month.

[Alison]

Wow, this Beethoven is quite stupendous!

[Ein Heldenleben]

And the prize for best concerto accompaniment this season goes to Sir Mark Elder . That’s how you support and meld with a superb musician like Benjamin Grosvenor. Years in the opera house — that’s where you learn how to do it. Absolutely masterful.
Was the first movement cadenza Ben’s own? brave as LvB’s aren’t bad…..

[Ein Heldenleben]

Wow, this Beethoven is quite stupendous!

Could not agree more - absolutely sensational

[Alison]

And the prize for best concerto accompaniment this season goes to Sir Mark Elder . That’s how you support and meld with a superb musician like Benjamin Grosvenor. Years in the opera house — that’s where you learn how to do it. Absolutely masterful.
Was the first movement cadenza Ben’s own? brave as LvB’s aren’t bad…..

Saint-Saëns

Rarely does one hear such a mind bendingly original interpretation of a standard classic.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I honestly think that is one of the greatest performances of that work I have ever heard and I have heard hundreds . I am finding it difficult to control my emotions . The genius of that work.

[Ein Heldenleben]

saint-Saens

Thanks that explains why they were so difficult!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Blimey now he’s doing Gnomenreigen .Unbelievable..

[jayne lee wilson]

Concentration not at its best, chronic fatigue, but that seemed an uncommonly urgent Beethoven G Major, soloist precision-tooled yet impassioned in his communications, the orchestra of refined tonal character and rhythmically alert, keenly responsive accompaniment with a truly idiomatic Beethoven sound.

Wonderfully symbiotic musical partnership.....and the Saint-Saens' cadenzas were an inspired choice...what a brilliantly freshening, uplifting effect they made.

***
All passion seeming spent yet Spirit willing, but I'll take some air and try to be ready for PartTwo...

[cloughie]

Really intrigued to hear Ben G in the LvB4.

Quite a big gig for Anna L who has openly talked about concert nerves and hasn’t played in public so very much. Best of luck to her I say.

Her transcription of Britten Sea Interludes, recorded at Ely Cathedral, comes out early next month.

That could be interesting!