Leroy Anderson - Piano Concerto (audio + sheet music)

Anderson labored over his sole extended
original orchestral work, a three-movement Piano Concerto in C, in the
first half of 1953. With Eugene List playing the solo
part, Anderson conducted the first performance in Chicago’s Grant Park on 18th July, 1953, and repeated
it in Cleveland the following July. Stung by the mixed
reviews in the press and dissatisfied with the first
movement, Anderson withdrew the piece, even omitting
mention of it in his 1970 list of compositions. Toward
the end of his life, however, he warmed to the concerto
again and talked of revising it, but never got around to
the task.
Eventually, Anderson’s widow Eleanor decided to
release the concerto as he left it - and since its revival in
1989, the piece has been receiving an increasing number
of performances, fulfilling a need for tuneful, audience-friendly, American-made piano concertos. The high
point is clearly the third movement’s second subject,
where Anderson strikes gold with a superb, entirely-in-character tune that can hold its own with virtually any
melody in any piano concerto.
(Naxos Music Library)
Please take note that the audio AND sheet music ARE NOT mine. Feel free to change the video quality to a minimum of 480p for the best watching experience.
Performers: Jeffrey Biegel (piano), BBC Concert Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin (conductor)
( • Video )
Sheet music: www.piano.ru/sc...

[@ETMargraf]

Movement 1 0:00 Movement 2 8:37 Movement 3 13:49

[@lisztomaniac2593]

*Movement 1 - 0:19

[@EggBenis]

bruh I was gonna do that

[@antoniusnies-komponistpian2172]

@thenameisgsarci In the description please

[@lelelelelelelelelek2936]

Hi! What a great piece, where I can find two piano version score ? Thank you.

[@user_ufcxdvr]

thanks！

One of the finest piano concerto, played by my dear friend Jeffrey!

[@charlesdavis7087]

This is American music, right there with Gershwin, Ives, and Berlin. You can hear Broadway. I never heard this work before. I will not soon forget you Leroy Andersin. Loved it.

[@frankkleij9149]

It is a perfect mix of Rachmaninoff and von Beethoven and many others. American? No UNIVERSAL.

[@derby2510]

@@frankkleij9149 It may have universal appeal, but the last movement especially sounds very American to Americans, I’m glad you enjoy it and recognize it’s appeal.

[@frankkleij9149]

@@derby2510 A secret gem. Hardly known even amongst "professionals" Never heard of is the excuse time and again.

[@Dylonely42]

Anderson*

[@frankkleij9149]

@Prof. Spudd Like some other academics real or fake you have trouble reading

[@keithp53]

Great having the piano solo part on-screen; thank you Garci. I first discovered this attractive concerto in November 2005 as a violinist in a UK orchestra, giving what was then a rare performance. I hear links not only to Rachmaninoff, Copland - and even Shostakovich after 19:09 - but also to Anderson's Scandinavian roots (the Grieg concerto naturally). 0:36 and 5:10 the big 1st theme could have been straight off a signature tune for TV years ago, superb... 2:17 - 2:26 the blues-y flattening of the middle of the phrase E->Bb then end of the phrase to D#, and similar at 3:03 - 3:22, plus where it comes again A->Eb at 6:34, and 7:17 on, is ace, right out of Gershwin. The concerto deserves to be much, much better known, especially for having the USP of a genuine rumba rhythm in the 2nd movement at 10:34 onwards (which comes back at 12:53) - an interesting moment in the initial orchestra-only rehearsal I remember, as we all 'shimmied around' just a bit in our seats. And the second theme of the Finale at 15:54 will, I guarantee, have you whistling (or singing along, if you prefer). Love it!

[@ChrisWeedPiano]

This is so cool!

[@igormack1135]

12:02 the licc

[@milgaru]

the s l o w licc

[@marcscratch33]

lol

[@owengette8089]

0:33 the progression in this section is heart juice

[@puliwalkercheng]

I've been looking for this concerto for more than twenty years! Thank you !

[@byFerrum]

Oh man, Ive discovered this piece like a month ago. Definitely one of the warmest piano concerto I've ever heard.

[@frankkleij9149]

You missed a lot indeed.

[@MrInterestingthings]

Ir vill evah hair again. Eets like Poulenc came to Broadway.

[@sifridbassoon]

I had no idea Anderson even wrote a piano concerto. Very Gershwin-y

[@MrRicksStudio]

He withdrew the work after a couple of performances, and it was published posthumously. I don’t think they know his motive for withdrawing it, it’s a charming work, and the big thing about it is that it is accessible by reasonably talented high school pianists.

[@milgaru]

i'm in love with this

[@bethanywakim6175]

Despite the many influences of other great concertos, I always find myself coming back to this one. Such lighthearted joyful energy, and so American. Thanks for posting, love seeing it with the score!

[@feneb6497]

Might just be the most catchy concerto ever written!

[@simpliciussimplicissimus]

шикарный концерт, великолепная музыка!

[@cashelnd]

Until I heard David Hurwitz's praise for the Naxos collection (with Leonard Slatkin conducting) of Anderson's works, the only pieces of Anderson's I knew were "Sleigh Ride" and "Bugler's Holiday." The Piano Concerto was a real discovery for me--what a gem it is.

[@looney1023]

Serenata is also lovely

[@gljm]

Love the "Copland-esque" touches in the last movement.

[@brendangordon2168]

A bit Hoe Down-like

[@FranzKaernBiederstedt]

This is actually not bad at all. Of course, somewhat eclectic, not hiding away his influences, but Anderson shows that he is capable of bigger symphonic forms and not just cute characteristic miniatures with this concerto. It's very Rachmaninov-esque, how he manages to draw out that first theme of the first movement and create a seemingly endless melody. The fugato in the development of the first movement is funny, of course, because it shows more the attempt to convince the critics that Anderson is a serious composer who has studied his counterpoint. It's not very much related to the rest of the movement, but ... why not? The fugue's subject is unique! I love the very American - if not Texonian - finale with the hoedown like spirit. Although the theme is a bit naive, Anderson succeeds in working out a substantial and energetic movement from it. The one thing Anderson propably might have worked on when revisiting the concerto for an overhaul could have been the piano part. From a pianistic point of view the solo part is undercomplex. It's not very rewarding for pianists, I would think. This might be a reason why it's not being performed very often, although it's really worth it.

[@MrInterestingthings]

I agree w what u say about the piano part it often feels like background usual Hollywood score. It is difficult 3rds and octaves abound but lithe almost quiet never grand Romantic type!

[@paulmoon3347]

But who needed a review?

[@MichaelConwayBaker]

I really like this concerto which has so much memorable melodic material. Thanks so much to positing this music. A wonderful performance!

[@Dizzyfingers2]

Pure Anderson. Wonderful!

[@a.jonathan1095]

Thank you man, i've been looking for this score for ages!

[@sifridbassoon]

I bought the score from Sheetmusic Plus. Unfortunately, the accompaniment is for wind symphony instead of orchestra, but as far as I can tell, the solo part is the same. Here is a performance with band kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4TNfHpojKdno6c

[@pocoallegro]

It’s like the American “Warsaw Concerto” with a few R&H undertones here and there.

[@Dylan_1344]

7:36 to 7:53 honestly the better ending for the first movement

[@gdoublell1002]

Fantastic! Thanks again, Garci 🙏🏾

[@Eden_Rubin_Music]

Moderdinist and half of my Composition teachers wouldn't love it, only if it was written in 1853, not 1953.😅

[@ChrisWeedPiano]

There are moments in the 2nd movement that remind me of My Funny Valentine

[@John-se5vc]

If I were to tie this music down to a minimalist description, I would say He is an "American Grieg", able to make nobility out of a simple melody, with no apologies for not being sophisticated. And for the "American" parts, I see tips of the hat to Gershwin, Hollywood, jazz, Berlin, Broadway, and one other: the cadenza has some sounds of Busoni! This is a fine piece. If Rachmaninov Four is played today, absolutely this piece should be played as well. The Khachaturian Concerto makes one have to wade through loads of "stuff" to hear the bits that are good. This piece, on the other hand, is good clean fun.

[@Chachboon1]

Fab piece - really curious about the ending… a few recordings seem to add extra notes. Is there another version of the score with those written in? Or was it just the pianists’ discretion?

[@Dylonely42]

Thank you very much for this video !

[@miroslavmartinu7572]

Tout à fait plaisant...

[@alexander-sb1oi]

the intro sound like rachma 2 masterpiece

[@MrInterestingthings]

Biegel makes this music the best it can be along w the conductor. I dont like this old fashioned movie sounding kitsch stuff. But hats off to Anderson for being able yo write it.Wonderful to hear it for a 2nd time. The harmonies never get outlandish everything stays in a LasVegas mode.1953 it certainly IS!

[@mikedaniels3009]

Awesome grandeur in C-major !Wish I had been there at the premiere to join the (hour long?) standing ovation. Is this THE Leroy Anderson who gave us the concerto for orchestra and typewriter? Thanks again for the upload.

[@thenameisgsarci]

Hour long? Eh?! 0_o

[@lolllololllo]

The first two minutes are very similar to Rach 2. Is that a coincidence?

[@timothygremlin9737]

Half of piano concertos by less known composers resembles Rach 2. Earlier today I listened to Bortkiewicz piano concerto and people were pointing this same thing out. Another piano concerto which is striking with its similarity is Dohnanyi's e minor concerto. Great work by the way, check it out.

[@lolllololllo]

@@timothygremlin9737 I will, thanks

[@waltersteinbaum2627]

All those piano concertos have one matrix that is the Am concerto by Robert Schumann. That was the model for Grieg concerto, Winding concerto, Rach 2 and others.

[@jonasdanielseneskeland3001]

I’m hearing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto

[@darwin94]

Yeah. I noticed that too.

[@NFStopsnuf]

Distinctly American with a hint of you know who.

[@guneetbb25]

Voldemort?

[@marianbozhidarov68]

Hm, either Rachmaninoff or Santa Claus :D

[@zeenohaquo7970]

@@marianbozhidarov68 Rachmaninovish yes.

[@inspireadmin7494]

Hi Thenameisgscarci! love this piece so much! where I can get the two piano sheet? Thank you!

[@thenameisgsarci]

Oh no, I apologize for the late reply, I did intend to find the score but I forgot to do so earlier. I have added the link to the score in the description box, it should work.

[@-fb-8757]

0'33'' souvenir de Tchaikowsky ;)

[@Dylonely42]

Nice

[@richardhaute6739]

thank you in advance is somebody can answer this, but as for the grande finale, there were some notes at the very end that were missing in the score for some reason? there were some alternating fast chords that ascend. the score indicated just two block octaves. did the pianist add this in?

[@thenameisgsarci]

y'know what, looking at the various videos, i would think that there might be, as a possible ossia.

[@richardhaute6739]

@@thenameisgsarci thank you so much for responding! i watched another video of the same song (live), and there was no alternating chords at the end. just the block octaves. sorry, im OCD ... so i have to SEE the notes being played. lol. then i watched another performance (once again live, no score), and there was that end passage of the chords. obviously it sounds better with the chords, but who wrote it??? im ocd, so i just have to see the notes - AS PROOF, lol.

[@JJBerthume]

8:44 THE LICK SPOTTED

[@thomaswenas-bobbiefet5805]

Hi, do you take requests?

[@thenameisgsarci]

No ...t just yet.

[@DemirSezer]

@@thenameisgsarci hi what about now

[@thenameisgsarci]

@@DemirSezer Too late. :/

[@DemirSezer]

@@thenameisgsarci 😔

[@arsinclair]

I'm getting strongest Shostakovitch vibes.

[@alexololo6644]

2nd piano part reduced so much .

[@AndewMole]

well, it probably shouldn't be made harder than the solo part

[@alexololo6644]

@@AndewMole look at the 3rd rachmaninoff second part....)

[@jb1980ist]

Pianists end up reducing the reduction anyway on the fly.

[@user_ufcxdvr]

楽しいピアノコンチェルト。　弾いたら絶対楽しいやつ。　特に3楽章。

[@Index_Kim]

0:33

[@hervegilles7941]

OK... for the fun, but Russian piano music is Still so much deep and superior (Chosta, Proko...).

[@donnytello1544]

Check out krassimir kyurkchiyski’s, he’s Bulgarian. You won’t be disappointed, listen to the entire thinf

[@dylanl.3366]

I wouldn't say superior, Prok 2 and Rach 3 are two of my absolute favorite concertos but you can't always be listening to deep music, you need that sense of light jubilance.

[@donnytello1544]

@@dylanl.3366 listen to Prokofievs “arpa” for piano, and rachmaninoffs “floods of spring” romance (the transcription from earl wild tho

[@SeigneurReefShark]

Lmao indeed. Russian/soviets works are muchhh much superior. And by far! Especially with the Soviet avantgarde, and all its obscure and absolutely transcendental composer.

[@donnytello1544]

@@SeigneurReefShark don’t forget the masterpieces from the Balkan regions, like Bulgaria and Romania etc

[@zorrogrism]

Too much similar to Rachmaninov 2

[@Dylonely42]

No

[@kmwa1234]

Would LOOK great as a ballet, too. Everything triggers memories of things come before. Muy, muy Americano! Beautiful.