Franz Berwald - Piano Concerto in D-major

Intro [00:00] 00:12 I. Allegro con brio 09:41 II. Andantino 14:55 III. Allegro molto - - - Pianist: Niklas Sivelöv Orchestra: Helsingborgs Symfoniorkester Conductor: Okko Kamu - - - Franz Adolf Berwald was a Swedish Romantic composer. He made his living as an orthopedist and later as the manager of a saw mill and glass factory, and became more appreciated as a composer after his death than he had been in his lifetime. His Piano Concerto, finished in 1855, intended for his piano pupil Hilda Aurora Thegerström, who continued her studies with Antoine François Marmontel and Franz Liszt, did not see the light of day until 1904, when Berwald's granddaughter Astrid performed it at a Stockholm student concert. Particularly in its brilliant last movement it may be compared favourably to Robert Schumann or Edvard Grieg. Its three movements are played without a break. Berwald's music was not recognised favourably in Sweden during his lifetime, even drawing hostile newspaper reviews, but fared a little better in Germany and Austria. The Mozarteum Salzburg made him an honorary member in 1847.