Oscar Levant Piano Concerto - O.Levant - A. Wallenstein - NBC Orchestra 1942

Oscar Levant Piano Concerto.
Oscar Levant , piano - Alfred Wallenstein conductor - NBC Orchestra.
Live rec. 17 feb 1942, world premiere.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Oscar
• Levant
• Piano
• Concerto
• Wallenstein
• NBC
• Orchestra

[paulprocopolis]

Thanks for the introduction to this concerto. I must admit that I was not even aware of its existence. It is full of engaging and enjoyable ideas - all very well played by both orchestra and soloist - but ultimately, for me, the music does not really rise above the sum of its parts.

[goodmanmusica]

@paulprocopolis

it is certainly not a masterpiece, but it is a rare document.

I feel there are influences of Gerswhin, Hindemith and Schoenberg also!

[stackedactor1]

@albanybeardguy I thought so at first, but I've found myself coming back a few times to listen to it and there are deeper threads in this piece than you would noticeon the first listen. A definite "grower". Wish there was a recording with better sonics.

[albanybeardguy]

Technique to burn- Levant knew his stuff, but there isn't anything memorable.

[mujerado]

@GrannyT1978 Depending on your point of view, "Hot mess" could be good or bad. I take it as good. Derivative or not, no one else could have written it. And one doubts it could ever have gotten a better performance. Not a masterpiece maybe, but a solid, heartfelt piece of real music.

[stackedactor1]

Cool . . . . The section starting around 6:50 is really fascinating, especially those polytonal muted strings.

[unclejuniorsoprano]

In this concerto one can definitely hear the Gershwin connection; elements of the 2nd Rhapsody, Cuban Overture, Porgy & Bess, Preludes, as well as show tunes. There are also elements of Schoenberg, Khachaturian, Prokofiev & Poulenc among others. Levant has always been my favorite pianist, but he definitely was no composer as far as originality is concerned. Nevertheless, I really enjoy this audio clip & wish to thank you very much.

Why can't Levant's 3 daughters make a video contribution?

[Eldonstromberg100]

Richard M. Nixon's piano concerto was more interesting! LOL

[GrannyT1978]

I'm a fan of Oscar Levant as a sidekick in some of my favorite movies and admire him as a pianist. This piece, however, is a hot mess.

[maxreger100]

Levant talks about this in one of his memoirs. He WAS studying with Schoenberg at the time he wrote it. To paraphrase his own words-- "i put in a Boogie-Woogie that spoiled the whole thing!" (6:53-8:02)

Fascinating, restless, confusing music.

[snaaptaker]

I must agree with paulprocopolis.

Still, quite interesting.

[TheMikester307]

Wow!!!