Lugansky - Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 (1805-1806) Nikolai Lugansky, soloist Nikolai Alekseev conducting St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, 2020 From St. Petersburg Philharmonia [0:00] I. Allegro moderato - Cadenza 13:58 [18:56] II. Andante con moto [23:40] III. Rondo. Vivace - Cadenza 31:24 “[…] The famous solo piano introduction to the fourth piano concerto immediately sets it apart from other signature ‘heroic’ statements. In contrast to the vigorous opening salvos of the fifth symphony, Appassionata, et al., the concerto begins with a gentle utterance: piano, dolce, searching yet at peace. This opening gesture ends in the dominant key of D major; the orchestra replies in distant B major, presaging the harmonic nuance that colors the entire work. Despite the serenity of the opening, a close listen reveals the four-note, ‘Fate knocking at the door’ rhythmic motif of the fifth symphony embedded into this first theme, three