1st piano concerto (Beethoven)

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The Piano Concerto No. 1, C major , op. 15 is an early piano concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven . On the one hand, Beethoven is still based on the early models of the Viennese Classic , on the other hand, his later handwriting can be recognized here.

Emergence

The work was written between 1795 and 1801 and was actually not the first piano concerto that Beethoven composed. Two concertos without an opus number (E flat major and D major) date from his time in Bonn, and he composed the work known as the second piano concerto before the piano concerto op.15. This concerto also has a larger and more symphonic effect than the more muted second piano concerto. Beethoven also used timpani, clarinets and trumpets in the orchestra for the first time. The closeness to the predecessor and role model Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is still clearly audible in some places, although Beethoven has unmistakably established his own style here.

To the music

1st movement: Allegro con brio

The first movement begins with an orchestral exposition performed piano , which is continued shortly afterwards in tutti. It has the character of a march and is supported by the timpani. A second, cantable theme is also presented in the orchestra; it initially sounds surprisingly in E flat major before modulating in the minor key. Another march-like extension leads to the use of the solo instrument. The piano now leads through the musical processing of the theme material without losing itself in a virtuoso end in itself. The implementation quickly turns to Moll and deals with both topics in a variety of ways. After the recapitulation, an orchestral climax finally leads to a detailed and virtuoso solo cadenza . This reveals Beethoven's already very well developed and demanding piano technique, which, for example, goes beyond the level of virtuosity normally found in Mozart. A short postscript concludes the first sentence.

2nd movement: Largo

The Largo in A flat major is one of Beethoven's early movements that already contain a great deal of solemn mood. The large-scale sentence is designed in free song form. The lyrical theme is quickly picked up by the piano and carried on. The piano figures and varies the vocal themes alternately with the orchestra in a lyrical way.

3rd movement: Rondo, allegro scherzando

The final rondo is of a dance-like, popular character. The solo piano begins with the performance of the main theme, which is repeated by the full orchestra. A secondary theme follows, which also has a folk song character. In its humorous way, the whole rondo is reminiscent of Joseph Haydn's final movements , but already has the sharper accents typical of Beethoven. The coda holds a moment of surprise in store, which is not unusual for Beethoven, because the action seems to fade away in piano before a last, concise forte outburst from the orchestra sets the final accent.

effect

Beethoven performed the C major piano concerto for the first time on April 2, 1800 at the Burgtheater in Vienna , playing the piano part himself. An anecdote says that Beethoven played the concerto by heart in C sharp major because he had just before the opening of the Piano Concerto I noticed that the grand piano was tuned a semitone too low. It is possible that the 1st and 2nd piano concertos were performed in Prague as early as 1798 .

The solo part, which was initially improvised in many places, was not finally written down until it went to press in 1801. Eight years later, Beethoven composed three cadenzas. The pianist is free to choose which one he chooses. The pianist Glenn Gould also composed a cadenza for it.

The 1st piano concerto is very popular with pianists and conductors as a testimony to Beethoven's early creative and expressive powers. It surpasses the 2nd piano concerto in popularity and is regarded as the predecessor of the later larger and more symphonic concerts. Beethoven dedicated the work to his pupil Babette Countess von Keglevich de Buzin .

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Alexander Wheelock Thayer, Hermann Deiters, Hugo Riemann: "Ludwig van Beethovens Leben", Verlag W. Weber, Berlin 1901-11