A Major Habit

New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 312, 15 June 1945, Page 12

A Major Habit

WHEN Tchaikowski’s Piano Concerto No. 1 appeared in 1YA’s studio programme recently, I wondered idly and not for the first time, when and where and by whom it was decided that Tchaikowski’s Pigno Concertos Nos. 2 and 3 are not worth playing or recordling. I have always put it down to the

survival of the fittest, and not worried about it unduly. But when a fortnight later ~? Mozart piano concerto in A Major was played from 1YA’s studio, I thought once more about this law that leads to the featuring of one concerto and the suppression of others, It is not yet six months since Shirley Craig played Mozart in A Major with the 1YA orchestra; in 1942 it was played here by Eileen Ralph; and in the mean« time my experience of any of the other two dozen Mozart piano concertos has depended on a few recordings, I wish I could see what it is about this K.488 that gives it priority over the rest of the K family. To me it is surpassed in richness by K.466 (D Minor) and K.491 (C Minor) in vitality and sweetness by K.467 (C Major), K.595 (B_ Flat Major), K.449 (E Flat Major) and K.453 (G Major); and in sheer excitement for the piano, by all of these. Certainly the A Major Concerto can look a bit dim in this constellation, and still be a very bright star judged by any other standards, but if there is any reason for this favouritism, apart from mere habit, I should be glad to know it. "