Classical Music Library Free Download of the Week: Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

In November 1874 Tchaikovsky embarked on his first attempt at a concerto. Surviving a notorious critical attack by Rubinstein, the work was duly finished in 1875. An appreciative Hans von Bülow then gave the first performance of the Piano Concerto No. 1 in October. Rubinstein later recanted his view that the concerto was unplayable, badly composed and plagiarized; he helped it achieve major success at the Paris World Exhibition of 1878 and it has enjoyed popularity ever since.

The piece does indeed borrow from other sources; the first movement's theme is based on the Ukranian folk melody 'Song of the Blind'; the Prestissimo of the second movement quotes from a popular Waltz, and another folk song provides the basis for the Finale. The concerto's legendary difficulty has acquired it the nickname 'Hymn of the Virtuosi'.

This recording is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Ronan O'Hora, piano; James Judd, conductor.

Download this work through February 28th, 2008.

Comments

[Steven Davies]

Tchaikovsky is one of my favorite classical piano music executor!