Moszkowski: Piano Concerto in B minor, Op3
Ludmil Angelov (piano)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Hyperion CD
This is the 98th in a series of discs titled "The Romantic Piano Concerto'' released by Hyperion since 1991.
Recorded in Glasgow last year, it is the world's first vinyl of an exciting concerto by Polish composer Moszkowski (1854-1925).
Oddly, the first disc in the series featured his other concerto, along with Paderewski's; this second (earlier dated) concerto manuscript was unearthed in 2008. It is 54 minutes long, written to launch the composer's career as a pianist. It has many good tunes and exuberance for a virtuoso pianist like Angelov, who reintroduced it to the world in 2014.
The BBC Scottish Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Kiradjiev, is in fine form, well recorded.
Four movements include two cadenzas. The Allegro opens in funereal, doom-laden style as if foreshadowing an opera but is soon cheered by the arrival of the piano, with roulades of notes in Chopin style.
This is followed by a long Adagio where the piano is assisted by fine clarinet playing, then the Scherzo opens with pizzicato strings followed by a merry dance between the keyboard and orchestra.
The final movement is more than 20 minutes long, starting Allegro Sostenuto, finishing Con Spirito as the piccolo perks up the party that leads to a long cadenza before all the musicians combine for a resounding finish.
Another world premiere recording is the bonus item: Adolf Schulz-Evler (1852-1905), also Polish, provides Russian Rhapsody Op 14 lasting for over 11 minutes and containing splendid Russian-sounding folk melodies, until the final Prestissimo deserving an ovation for the pianist.
Verdict: New piano music in splendid action.
- Reviewed by Geoff Adams
