Direct from the Royal Albert Hall

Paul Crossley (piano)
London Symphony Orchestra, leader John Brown, conducted by John Pritchard and Sir Michael Tippett
Sir Lennox Berkeley says:
'Sir Michael Tippett conducts his own Piano Concerto, which he was inspired to write after listening to the first movement of Beethoven's Concerto No 4 played by Gieseking, who stressed the gentler and more poetic side of the instrument. It struck him that this aspect could be used in a contemporary work, instead of making the piece a struggle between the solo instrument and the orchestra (as so often in the romantic concerto) or concentrating primarily on the piano's percussive qualities (as in many modern works). The result is varied in mood, though Tippett sticks close, and with characteristic tenacity, to his principal themes.'

Strauss Symphonic poem: Don Juan - conducted by John Pritchard

Tippett Concerto for piano and orchestra - conducted by the Composer