Hyperion Records | The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol. 42

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CDA67555

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Recording details: September 2006
Grieghallen, Bergen, Norway
Produced by Andrew Keener
Engineered by Arne Akselberg
Release date: April 2007
Total duration: 65 minutes 7 seconds
Available for download on iTunes: Yes

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'For the 42nd issue in its 'Romantic Piano Concerto' series, Hyperion turns for inspiration to Norway, and, in a first recording of Eyvind Alnaes's Concerto, they light up the sky like an aurora borealis … Such music is heaven-sent, particularly when played by Piers Lane with such enviable poetry, fluency and aplomb. Few pianists could have entered into the romantic spirit more infectiously … Andrew Litton and the Bergen Philharmonic are a perfect foil for their scintillating and indefatigable soloist, and Hyperion's sound balance is impeccable' (Gramophone)

'The performances, with Piers Lane as soloist and the Bergen Philharmonic conducted by Andrew Litton, are jaw-droppingly good - so much so that any qualms you may have about the works themselves are swept aside by the sheer excitement of it all' (The Guardian)

'Piers Lane is tremendous, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is splendid and both Lane and Andrew Litton find the perfect tone of delivery … The best of this work is very fine indeed. Lane is again excellent … and all the performers make excellent advocates for a work thoroughly deserving of them' (International Record Review)

'Despite the obscurity of this music, Piers Lane plays it with confidence and insight. The Bergen Philharmonic, under its music director Andrew Litton, provides solid, stylish support and the recording is spacious and ideally balanced' (Daily Telegraph)

'Sinding's 30-minute-long concerto blossoms here in a way that makes one long to experience the work live in the concert hall … Its heroic nobility, dramatic projection of theatre and beautiful colouristic shifts make for genuinely uplifting listening … The new Hyperion recording will lead to more live performances of what is unquestionably a worthy, exciting and optimistic work' (Piano Magazine)

'[Alnaes] This gorgeously romantic concerto is rich with the idiom which inspired Grieg. It's well realised by Piers Lane and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra under Andrew Litton' (Liverpool Daily Post)

'You're going to love this disc. It does everything this wonderful series of "Romantic Piano Concertos" is supposed to: present captivating repertoire in excellent performances....Piers Lane plays both concertos with a confidence that belies their unfamiliarity, and you know that Andrew Litton and the Bergen orchestra will do their bit like real pros. Excellent sound completes the picture. A genuine find!' (ClassicsToday.com)

The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol. 42 – Alnæs & Sinding

Piers Lane (piano), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton (conductor)

		Piano Concerto in D major, Op 27 Eyvind Alnæs (1872-1932)
1		Movement 1: Allegro moderato [12:52]
2		Movement 2: Lento [8:47]
3		Movement 3: Allegro assai, tempo di valse [9:51]
		Piano Concerto in D flat major, Op 6 Christian Sinding (1856-1941)
4		Movement 1: Allegro non troppo [12:49]
5		Movement 2: Andante [10:00]
6		Movement 3: Allegro non assai [10:48]

Hyperion’s record of the month of April is the forty-second release in our prestigious Romantic Piano Concerto series.

We went to Norway for this one—and rightly so as the recording reveals that there’s more to Norwegian Romantic Piano Concertos than Grieg in A minor. While Sinding is at least a name to most people (if only for The Rustle of Spring) Alnæs is almost completely unknown outside his native land, yet it is perhaps this latter’s concerto which makes the bigger impression. This is a glorious late romantic work in an idiom akin to Rachmaninov; indeed there are passages which seem to quote the Russian’s fourth concerto—except that the Alnæs was written first. Did Rachmaninov perhaps hear an early performance?

The Sinding is a monolithic three-movement work where all the material is based on one theme which undergoes many Lisztian transformations. The piece is hugely virtuosic, some may say bombastic—but some may also say that’s what this series is about—and it’s all good fun!

We’re delighted to continue our relationship with Andrew Litton as the new principal conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic and here he is joined by RPC stalwart Piers Lane in his sixth contribution to the series.