[Cover graphic]

Compact Disc CDA67562

£13.99

Approaching 150 years since the birth of Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860–1941) there remains a certain ambivalence about his legacy. Should he be judged primarily as a pianist or as a composer-pianist? The three works on this disc make the strongest possible case for the latter. The large-scale Piano Sonata in E flat minor, Op 21, is a powerful, turbulent work, showing the composer’s affinity with Rachmaninov in its passion and extreme technical difficulty, contrasting on occasion with writing of affecting simplicity.

The brilliant Jonathan Plowright is the ideal apologist for this music—a keen advocate of the Polish Romantic repertoire, possessed of the highest qualities of technique and interpretation.

Recorded in Potton Hall, Suffolk, on 1–3 December 2006
Recording Engineer
TONY FAULKNER
Recording Producer
JEREMY HAYES
Front Picture Research
RICHARD HOWARD
Booklet Editor
TIM PARRY
Executive Producers
SIMON PERRY
MICHAEL SPRING
© Hyperion Records Ltd, London, MMVII

Duration: 79'59
DDD
Front illustration: Landscape with a Cross by Tadeusz Makowski (1882–1932)

IGNACY JAN PADEREWSKI (1860-1941)

Piano Sonata, Variations & Fugues

JONATHAN PLOWRIGHT piano

Contents:

    Piano Sonata in E flat minor Op 21   [34'44]
  1. Allegro con fuoco   [14'50]
  2. Andante ma non troppo   [10'42]
  3. Allegro vivace   [9'03]

    Variations and Fugue on an original theme in A minor Op 11   [15'24]

  4. Theme Andante non troppo   [0'50]
  5. Variation I   [0'43]
  6. Variation II Allegro moderato   [0'33]
  7. Variation III Allegro vivace   [0'30]
  8. Variation IV Vivace   [0'30]
  9. Variation V Maestoso   [0'57]
  10. Variation VI Animato e molto leggiero   [0'26]
  11. Variation VII Vivace e sempre grazioso   [0'40]
  12. Variation VIII Presto   [0'15]
  13. Variation IX Tempo I   [0'51]
  14. Variation X Un poco più mosso   [0'46]
  15. Variation XI Andante misterioso   [1'32]
  16. Variation XII Con fuoco   [0'32]
  17. Variation XIII Allegro molto appassionato   [0'24]
  18. Variation XIV Larghetto   [2'03]
  19. Fugue Allegretto   [3'44]

    Variations and Fugue on an original theme in E flat minor Op 23   [29'39]

  20. Theme Maestoso   [1'02]
  21. Variation I   [0'57]
  22. Variation II   [0'58]
  23. Variation III Un poco più mosso ed agitato   [0'34]
  24. Variation IV Animato   [0'19]
  25. Variation V Vivace ma non troppo   [0'35]
  26. Variation VI Andante ma non troppo   [2'27]
  27. Variation VII Un poco animato   [1'03]
  28. Variation VIII Allegro moderato   [0'50]
  29. Variation IX Meno mosso   [1'04]
  30. Variation X Grandioso   [1'15]
  31. Variation XI Allegro scherzoso   [0'53]
  32. Variation XII Maestoso   [1'04]
  33. Variation XIII Agitato   [0'36]
  34. Variation XIV Allegro feroce   [1'07]
  35. Variation XV Andantino   [1'58]
  36. Variation XVI Moderato   [1'42]
  37. Variation XVII Allegro ma non troppo   [0'57]
  38. Variation XVIII Vivace   [0'50]
  39. Variation XIX Un poco meno mosso ma molto agitato  [0'52]
  40. Variation XX Allegro con fuoco   [0'43]
  41. Fugue Allegro molto moderato   [7'40]
Sleeve Notes

'Jonathan Plowright shines a powerful light on Paderewski … You have a pianist clearly in love with every bar of Paderewski's romantic rhetoric and it would be hard to imagine playing of greater sympathy or a more intimidating visceral strength and cogency. A pianist who excels in music's darker undercurrents and declamations, he clears every daunting hurdle with awe-inspiring ease, making a formidable case for one of music's neglected byways. Finely presented and recorded, this is a valuable and surprising issue' (Gramophone)

'A distinctive and distinguished melodic voice shines through … Everywhere there is always a strong sense of forward momentum … In Jonathan Plowright these works have a near-ideal interpreter. Not only does he negotiate Paderewski's dizzying virtuoso demands with evident ease, but also his ability to bring an almost string-like tone to the more lyrical passiages constantly fascinates in this excellent recording' (BBC Music Magazine)

'All three works provide the listener with an incredible musical journey; a kaleidoscope of pianistic ideas with fleeting echoes of Rachmaninov, Brahms, Debussy, and even elements of earlier music with its elegance and trills, yet in no way derivative. The playing is world-class; understated virtuosity at its best. Plowright easily integrates all the difficult elements – and Paderewski described the Op.23 Variations as his best and most difficult work - into the musical lines as if they don’t exist' (Classic FM Magazine)

'It's all dense music, highly wrought, and Jonathan Plowright plays it quite superbly, with an enviable range of keyboard colour' (The Guardian)

'… A pianist who clearly believes in the music, who has studied it with appreciation and insight. Jonathan Plowright fits the bill admirably – and he has the technical wherewithal to do it justice. He unfolds the extended Fugue of Opus 23 imperiously; here the astringency of Paderewski’s conception perfectly caps what has gone before. This is fascinating music impressively performed, recorded and annotated – and cannot be recommended too highly' (ClassicalSource.com)

'The music is by turns lyrical, tender, propulsive and bizarre … Plowright, who has made lesser-known composers a specialty … performs with conviction and panache. He gives Paderewski his due, revealing the seriousness of purpose, the lighthearted charm and a penchant for self-indulgence' (San Francisco Chronicle)

'Jonathan Plowright semble avoir parfaitement saisi que l'esprit qui y souffle est celui de la musique et non du simple piano. Il leur donne une unité, une densité qui méritent l'admiration, soulignant l'envergure et l'humilité d'un compositeur à redécouvrir vraiment' (Diapason)

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