The piano used for this recording is a Pleyel concert grand from circa 1874, which represents Pleyel's first cross-stringed model, influenced by Steinway's modernism.
Interpretation
The performer, Ziad Kreidy, chose to record this album live and without editing to preserve the spontaneity and authenticity of his interpretation, as he believes editing damages artistic quality.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Edvard Grieg, the composer, was attracted to both large musical forms and short compositions, with the intimate character of the Lyric Pieces particularly fascinating to the performer.
Compositional Technique
Grieg's Lyric Pieces are a collection of character pieces that prioritize a simple and concise structure over a grandiose piano deployment.
Instruments
This specific Pleyel piano, found abandoned in the Parisian area, was only produced for a short time and features a traditional assembled steel frame and an action with ivory leafsprings.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The Lyric Pieces by Edvard Grieg are inspired by Norwegian mystical creatures and folk idioms, reflecting the soul of his country and the surrounding nature.
Recording & Production
The sound engineer, Ludovic de Nayer, used an AB microphone position (two parallel-oriented microphones placed far from the piano) to create a natural sound that gives the impression of being a few meters from the performer.
