When you only have your left hand to play the piano
What an absolutely wonderful piece of music, don’t you think? Why did this famous composer write a concerto for one hand only? I hope you like it and enjoy this moment.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the First World War had a significant impact on the arts. Many musicians and composers were conscripted into the war and their lives and work changed forever. Maurice Ravel, a famous French composer worked as an ambulance driver during the war and witnessed how difficult life was for soldiers on the battlefield.
Ravel and Paul Wittgenstein
In 1929, Ravel received a commission from Paul Wittgenstein, an Austrian pianist who had lost his right arm in the First World War. Wittgenstein was determined to continue his career as a pianist and commissioned several composers to write some pieces for him to play with his left hand only. Ravel was one of the composers who accepted the commission.
However. Ravel found the challenge of writing a piano concerto for one hand only curious and interesting. So he used this opportunity to explore new musical ideas and push the boundaries of what was possible with the piano.
Thanks to his great musical genius, Ravel was able to compose an absolutely astonishing concerto that presented many technical and artistic challenges, but also allowed him to create a work that is unique and innovative.
At the time, Ravel was already recognized as a great composer, but he still had some disagreements with Wittgenstein, who wanted to make some changes to the work. However, Ravel didn’t like the idea very much.
The premiere took place on January 5, 1932 with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Heger and contained the adaptations that the pianist wanted so much.
The piano concerto for left hand is a piece of music that has just one movement divided into three parts: slow, fast and slow.
One of the parts most appreciated by listeners is the final cadenza of the piece, where all the themes come together to reach the great apex of truly incredible sonority.
Check out the original version of the piece with the pianist himself, Paul Wittgenstein, after one of the best performances available today.
Paul Wittgenstein plays Ravel – Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Pianist: Paul Wittgenstein
Accompanied: Bruno Walter and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Ravel – Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (Best Version)
Pianist: Hélène Tysman
Accompanied: Nicolás Pasquet and Orchestra of the University of Music Franz Liszt de Weimar.
