Hyperion Records | The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol. 28

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CDA67314

Buy? £13.99

Recording details: June 2001
Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
Produced by Andrew Keener
Engineered by Mike Clements
Release date: February 2002
Total duration: 67 minutes 48 seconds
Available for download on iTunes: Yes

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DISC OF THE MONTH (MUZYKA 21, POLAND)

'This is a simply tremendous release … A truly great recording, an award-winner if ever I heard one' (International Record Review)

'Jonathan Plowright’s performances are a rare example of technical and musical integrity … both sound and balance are natural and exemplary' (Gramophone)

'A composer with a strong personal identity that never falls back on the commonplace or routine. Jonathan Plowright is on breathtaking form' (International Piano)

'This is a welcome addition to the Romantic Piano Concerto series that Hyperion is issuing. Jonathan Plowright plays both concertos brilliantly, and Martyn Brabbins leads the orchestra enthusiastically. The sound is superb' (American Record Guide)

'Jonathan Plowright has the chops and instinct for this kind of music … The first piano concerto alone would make this new release a must for mavens of neglected Romantic era works. However, its companion piece takes matters entirely to a new level. Stojowski’s Piano Concerto No. 2 deserves to be far better known, and this recording supplies an excellent introduction' (Fanfare, USA)

'Stojowski could hardly have found a better interpreter than Jonathan Plowright, who plays with affection, understanding and sometimes breathtaking virtuosity' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Jonathan Plowright and Martyn Brabbins give both works an ardency that’s all the more persuasive for its detail of light and shade' (The Irish Times)

Sigismond Stojowski (1870-1946)

The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol. 28 – Stojowski

Jonathan Plowright (piano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

		Piano Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op 3
1		Movement 1: Andante poco mosso – Allegro un poco maestoso [14:55]
2		Movement 2: Andante sostenuto e molto cantabile [9:39] Rudi De Groote (cello), Mary James (cor anglais)
3		Movement 3: Allegro con fuoco – Presto – Più presto [10:22]
		Piano Concerto No 2 in A flat major 'Prologue, Scherzo and Variations', Op 32
4		Part 1: Prologue. Andante con moto [7:36]
5		Part 2: Scherzo. Presto [5:02]
6		Part 3a: Tema. Maestoso e moderato molto [1:03]
7		Part 3b: Variation I. Molto sostenuto [1:21]
8		Part 3c: Variation II. Con espressione poco rubato [1:07]
9		Part 3d: Variation III. Più mosso [1:14]
10		Part 3e: Variation IV. Allegretto [0:54]
11		Part 3f: Variation V. Molto vivace [0:28]
12		Part 3g: Variation VI. Con fuoco, agitato [1:05]
13		Part 3h: Variation VII. Con moto, energico [1:25]
14		Part 3i: Variation VIII. Andante sostenuto [1:04]
15		Part 3j: Variation IX. Andantino ben moderato [2:18]
16		Part 3k: Variation X. Finale. Allegro molto [8:15]

Now these really are romantic piano concertos!

Stojowski was born and brought up in Poland though he later lived in Paris and finally became an American citizen. He was both virtuoso pianist and serious composer (he wrote a symphony and violin concerto as well as music for his own instrument) and his initial career was full of promise. Unfortunately for his later reputation his style was that of a previous generation and in the 20th century his music was viewed as increasingly dated. One hundred years later this hardly matters and on this CD we find works steeped in the language of Tchaikovsky and Grieg, perhaps with a hint of Saint-Saëns and the almost sentimental lyricism of Paderewski (ten years Stojowski's senior, Paderewski was both teacher and friend to the younger composer, the second concerto was dedicated to, and played by him).

We are delighted to welcome Jonathan Plowright to Hyperion. He valiantly tackles the huge virtuoso demands Stojowski makes of the soloist, particularly in the first concerto.The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are playing better than ever and they are kept fully occupied in the rich and colourful scoring of both works.