| Orchestra or Band | National Symphony Orchestra |
| Set List | 'Piano Concerto in A Minor', Grieg (Ivar Johnsen),
'Symphony No.104' (The London), Haydn,
'Piano Concerto No.2 in B Flat', Brahms (Ivar Johnsen) |
| Performance Notes | "ORCHESTRA IN OVERCOATS.
A new pianist from Norway, Ivar Johnsen, a splendidly powerful executant, played concertos by Grieg and Brahms (B Flat) with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Issay Dobrowen, at the Albert Hall alst night.
It was a most extraordinary conert, for the hall seemed hardly heated at all. Some of the orchestra wore overcoats, and, shivering in the audience, one was filled with sympathy for the newcomer at the icy keyboard, and also for the cello soloist in his difficulties in the slow movement of the Brahms concerto. It was a miracle that the programme could be carried out, and no London concert can ever before have been given in such conditions.
Mr Johnsen's playing seemed designed for the size of the hall. It was all on an heroic scale. There were still some of the audience left at the end of the long programme and they gave him an ovation."
(The Daily Telegraph, 12 February 1947) |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1947/36) |