Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54

Argerich, Martha

Composer: Schumann, Robert

Conductor: Chailly, Riccardo

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

Television Producer: Moller, Tobias

Television Director: Beyer, Michael

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Catalogue Number: EuroArts5606

UPC: 880242560681

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Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music is a series of audio-visual concert guides that allow the listener to experience and enjoy great music from the Baroque period up to the present day in an entirely new way, offering a combination of documentary material and a complete performance of the featured work. The Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras, the Gewandhaus Orchestra and other eminent musical bodies join forces with acclaimed experts, famous soloists and outstanding conductors to highlight the distinctive features of twenty famous masterpieces by the most important composers through first class concert recordings. Each introductory feature is clearly designed and provides abundant information. Examples from the musical score help the viewer to follow the themes and rhythms and to understand the structure of the work. New film material documenting the birthplaces of the composers and locations of composition is combined with historic film material, works of art and original manuscripts. It allows the viewer to embark on a journey back to the time and place of composition and informs him about the life of the composer while providing a complete introduction to the work.

Martha Argerich ?EUR" often regarded as the greatest pianist of our time - plays Robert Schumann's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, accompanied by the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig under Riccardo Chailly, recorded in Leipzig in June 2006. With its underlying lyrically emotional mood, Schumann's Piano Concerto is one of the most popular of all concertos. Hearing Martha Argerich playing this piece is an experience. She is especially at home with the lyrical repertoire and her consummate playing is sheer and distinguished artistry. In the documentary part of this video, music historian Wulf Konold explains how the composer forged a new path in writing it and how the solo instrument and the orchestra create a particularly intense relationship.