Peter Donohoe‘s new album of Grieg Lyric Pieces Volume Two: Ballade, is released on Chandos Records today.
Peter Donohoe is acclaimed as one of the foremost pianists of our time, for his musicianship, stylistic versatility, and commanding technique, a critic concluding in Musical Opinion that ‘I cannot imagine a living pianist capable of improving upon Donohoe’s outstanding artistry’. Following his previous volume of Grieg’s Lyric Pieces (CHAN 20254), this double-album presents the remaining thirty-nine pieces, alongside the Ballade, Op. 24. Born in Bergen in 1843, Grieg is widely regarded as Norway’s ‘National Composer’. He wrote for the piano throughout his career, but, with one exception, eschewed the German sonata in favour of miniatures, which he named Lyriske stykker (Lyric Pieces). Often influenced by the folk music of his native Norway, these works were published in ten volumes. Rather than recording them sequentially, Peter Donohoe has arranged the pieces in an order of his own choosing.
The album was featured on BBC Radio 3 Record Review, where the March of the Trolls was played:
“Played with a real sense of mischief and danger by Peter Donohoe. These are trolls with teeth! Donohoe has loved these Lyric pieces since he was a teenager. It shows in the instinct he has for the Norwegian folk elements of the music combined with his combustible power and expressive range. It’s a hugely enjoyable tour of Greig’s Norwegian inspirations.”
Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3 Record Review