Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Twilight Years

Donald Macleod introduces Grieg's piano concerto, which helped launch him on the path to fame and fortune, and continues to be one of the most popular concertos of all time.

Much of Grieg's life was spent away from home, touring and giving concerts across Europe. He was known both as a fine pianist and charismatic conductor and, naturally, performed his own works at every opportunity. Donald Macleod introduces Grieg's piano concerto, written towards the beginning of his career and, in spite of the fact that Grieg himself was never entirely satisfied with it, proved to be the perfect showpiece and useful money-spinner throughout his life and continues to be one of the most popular concertos of all time.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 25 May 2012 18:30

Music Played

  • Edvard Grieg

    Slatter Op.72 for piano [Norwegian peasant dances]

    Performer: Einar STEEN-NOKLEBERG - Piano

    • NAXOS.
    • 8-550884.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Slatter Op.72 for piano [Norwegian peasant dances]

    Performer: Einar STEEN-NOKLEBERG - Piano

    • NAXOS.
    • 8-550884.
  • Edvard Grieg

    2 Elegiac melodies Op.34 for string orchestra [arr. of songs Op.33 nos. 3 and 2]

    Conductor: Neeme JARVI Performer: Gothenburg S O.

    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP.
    • 437 520-2-.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Sonata no. 3 in C minor Op.45 for violin and piano

    Performer: Frederic CHIU - Piano Performer: Pierre AMOYAL - Violin

    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • HMU907256.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Concerto in A minor Op.16 for piano and orchestra

    Conductor: Andrew LITTON Performer: Stephen HOUGH - Piano Performer: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

    • Hyperion.
    • CDA67824.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 25 May 2012 12:00
  • Fri 25 May 2012 18:30

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.