This is the second Czerny recording by Rosemary Tuck, Richard Bonynge, and the ESO. That release featured the Grand Concerto in A minor. This one has Czerny’s Second Grand Concerto, and it’s equally grand. Czerny studied with Beethoven and premiered two of his piano concertos as soloist. Czerny’s Second Grand Concerto was started weeks after […]
Concerto
-
-
Oliver Triendl connects with Reizenstein Concerto
When it comes to piano concertos, Franz Reizenstein is best remembered for his “Concerto Populaire,” his contribution to the Hoffnung Festivals. The 1961 Piano Concerto No. 2 is more serious, but in both, I hear a desire to connect with the audience. Reizenstein premiered the work at the keyboard. There’s plenty for the pianist to […]
-
Leila Schayegh delivers with LeClair Violin Concertos
This first volume of Jean-Marie LeClair violin concertos features four selections: two each from his Opus 7 (1739) and Opus 10 (1743). LeClair was one of the greatest violinists of his age. He regularly used extended techniques, such as double stops, bariolages, and harmonics. And yet in his concertos, these techniques were always used in […]
-
Kurt Atterberg Double Concerto Deserves Better Sound
This release marks the world premiere recording of Kurt Atterberg’s Concerto for violin, cello, and orchestra. The Swedish composer once characterized the 1960 double concerto as the last piece of his music worth performing. Perhaps — only two other works were written later. the concerto is an interesting blend of old and new. Atterberg was […]
-
Forgotten gems from Begnt Hallberg and Joseph Dente
Hallberg and Dente are far from household names — even in their native Sweden. Begnt Wilhelm Hallberg spent most of his career in Landskrona, outside the cultural center of Sweden (read: Stockholm). Joseph Dente was a major musical figure in Stockholm, though his reputation and influence remained within the confines of the Royal College of […]
-
Kondonassis in Rapturous Performance of Higdon Harp Concerto
Yolanda Kondonassis does not play pretty harp music. Her performances are marked with intensity and energy — and her choice of repertoire continually pushes the limits. Jennifer Higdon wrote her a concerto that gives Kondonassis free reign to express herself — and she does. The four-movement Harp Concerto has Kondonassis do just about everything with […]
-
Orfeo reissues Louis Spohr Clarinet Concerto recordings
Orfeo first released these recordings of Louis Spohr clarinet concertos in 1984. And they sound like it. The overall sound is somewhat dulled in the extreme registers (compared to contemporary recordings). It casts the orchestra and soloist in soft focus. Despite this, I would still recommend this reissue. Karl Leister is an exceptional clarinetist, and […]
-
Brouwer and Bellinati Concertos: masterworks masterfully played
This release features world premiere recordings of two works by master guitarists played by two master guitarists. Music by Cuban guitarist Leo Brouwer has become mainstays of the repertoire. His 2003 Book of Signs uses Western classical music as a foundation. The first movement deconstructs the theme to Beethoven’s 32 Variations in C minor. The […]
-
Violinist Bojan Cicic delivers on virtuoso Giovanni Giornovich concertos
Giovanni Giornovich AKA Giovanni Mane Giornovichi, started life as Ivan Mane Jarnovic. This Croatian violin virtuoso made his debut in Paris (1773), and landed in England after the French Revolution. He was a friend of Haydn, and his music was almost as popular among London audiences of the 1790s. The three concertos in this release […]