Grieg · Schumann · Litolff

Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
Litolff: Scherzo

Catalog: CACD 9089-2 • Status: Identified

CD Covers

Hatto cover
Concert Artist 9089-2 • Joyce Hatto
Giacometti cover
Channel Classics 17898 • Paolo Giacometti
Ronan O'Hora cover
Centurion Music Ltd. 204424-201 • Ronan O’Hora
Misha Dichter cover
Decca 411 123 • Misha Dichter

Capsule Summary

The Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 is played by Paolo Giacometti. The opening of the first movement and entire second movement are slowed down by approximately 33% and 26% respectively. This is the most extreme slowing down to date in the Hatto catalog. The Grieg Piano Concerto is taken from Ronan O’Hora’s recording on Centurion Music Ltd. The Litolff Scherzo is by Misha Dichter and has been sped up by 6.22%.

Thanks to Aksel Christoffersen for identifying the Grieg Concerto.

Sources

  • Paolo Giacometti — Channel Classics 17898 (Schumann Concerto)
  • Ronan O’Hora — Centurion Music Ltd. 204424-201 (Grieg Concerto)
  • Misha Dichter — Decca 411 123 (Litolff Scherzo)

Track Evidence

Track 1: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 – First movement

Opening piano flourish until final two chords:

Paolo Giacometti waveform

Paolo Giacometti (4.75 seconds)

Hatto waveform

Hatto (5.98 seconds)

The opening piano flourish is slowed down by 33.72%.

Remainder of movement:

Paolo Giacometti waveform

Paolo Giacometti (14:35)

Hatto waveform

Hatto (15:02)

The remainder of the movement is slowed down by 3.03%.

Track 2: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 – Second movement

Paolo Giacometti waveform

Paolo Giacometti (5:04)

Hatto waveform

Hatto (6:23)

Hatto is slowed down by 26.71%.

Track 3: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 – Third movement

Paolo Giacometti waveform

Paolo Giacometti (10:29)

Hatto waveform

Hatto (10:29)

Track 4: Grieg — Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 – First movement

Ronan O'Hora waveform

Ronan O’Hora (13:34)

Hatto waveform

Hatto (13:29)

Hatto is sped up by 1.8% from the cadenza to the end of the movement.

Track 5: Grieg — Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 – Second movement

Ronan O'Hora waveform

Ronan O’Hora (6:20)

Hatto waveform

Hatto (6:12)

Hatto is sped up by 2%.

Track 6: Grieg — Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 – Third movement

Ronan O'Hora waveform

Ronan O’Hora (10:16)

Hatto waveform

Hatto (10:11)

Hatto is sped up by 0.83%.

Track 7: Litolff — Scherzo from Concerto Symphonique No. 4

Misha Dichter waveform

Misha Dichter (6:53)

Hatto waveform

Hatto (7:19)

Hatto is slowed down by 6.22%.