London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bihlmaier & Grosvenor

Edvard Grieg was just 24 years old when he wrote his much-loved Piano Concerto. He drew inspiration from Norwegian folk music: in the finale, you hear echoes of the enchanting Hardanger fiddle, and he incorporates a ‘halling’, a lively Norwegian dance, into the music. The British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, called a “sensational meteorite” by Le Soir, relishes this challenging concerto. Conducted by the enthusiastic Anja Bihlmaier, the London Philharmonic Orchestra pairs Grieg with a colourful piece by Andrea Tarrodi and Jean Sibelius’ First Symphony, a monumental composition that rises slowly out of a mysterious clarinet solo.