Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1
A Review of a Russian Composer's Work for Piano and Orchestra
From Van Cliburn to Dmitris Sgouros, several pianists have met the demands of Tchaikovsky's majestic yet virtuosic concerto, a delight for fans of classical piano.
Although Nikolai Rubenstein originally commissioned Piotr Tchaikovsky to compose the Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23, the renowned pianist dismissed Tchaikovsky's finished creation as "banal, clumsy and incompetently written." Tchaikovsky spent four months on the concerto, from November 1874 to February 1875. Rather than incorporate the changes Rubenstein demanded, Tchaikovsky went instead to German pianist and conductor Hans von Bülow. The concerto was premiered in Boston in October 1875, with Hans von Bülow performing the solo piano part.
Tchaikovsky is more often remembered for his symphonic works than for his works for piano, but in the first piano concerto, he blends both orchestra and solo instrument in an ensemble that works in tandem: in between bursts of virtuosic display, the piano takes the backseat to let the orchestra develop expressive themes. The majestic introduction exemplifies how powerful the effect can be when orchestra and piano engage as equals.
The piano concerto is divided into three movements, although the first movement, at 20 minutes, is nearly three times as long as either the second or third movement, both of which are under seven minutes each. The movements are arranged as follows:
1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
2. Andantino simplice - Prestissimo
3. Allegro con fuoco
Opening in the relative key of D-flat major, the introduction begins with a triumphant theme voiced by the orchestra, punctuated by majestic chords on the piano. Later the piano articulates the theme before the orchestra voices it again. However, this theme fades away and is not referenced any more in the concerto. This introductory theme, taken from some Ukrainian beggars Tchaikovsky chanced to hear, is such a brief and yet memorable moment in the concerto. But following the theme's final articulation, other themes, alternatively voiced by orchestra and piano, replace the "signature" of the work.
If the first movement is grandiose, the second movement is introspective and melancholy. The piano subsides into accompaniment role while the strings and then the oboe takes the melody. But the brief lull is momentary: at prestissimo, the piano takes off on spastic scales and arpeggios very demanding on the pianist's technical abilities. A brilliant but somewhat brief cadenza reinstates the orchestra's pastoral-like theme. The movement fades away with harp-like arpeggios.
The final movement evokes a tense, nervous mood, the piano leading with short motives rather than a fully articulated theme. The music rushes forward, building in intensity, reaching a climax that vaguely suggests the majestic introduction, before rapid musical fireworks conclude the work with a display of virtuosic talent.
Several musicians have performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. For a good introduction, try listening to the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Walter Weller, with Dmitris Sgouros on the piano. Van Cliburn, famous for winning the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Russia despite his American nationality, has also released a version, but the RCA symphony backing him is not as good as the London Philharmonic.
