Henry Litolff - Concertos Symphoniques Nos. 2 & 4 (Peter Donohoe)

Information

Composer: Henry Litolff

1. Concerto symphonique No. 2 in B minor, Op. 22: I. Maestoso
2. Concerto symphonique No. 2 in B minor, Op. 22: II. Scherzo
3. Concerto symphonique No. 2 in B minor, Op. 22: III. Andante
4. Concerto symphonique No. 2 in B minor, Op. 22: IV. Rondeau. Allegretto
5. Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102: I. Allegro con fuoco
6. Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102: II. Scherzo. Presto
7. Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102: III. Adagio religioso
8. Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102: IV. Allegro impetuoso 

Peter Donohoe, piano
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Litton, conductor

Date: 1997
Label: Hyperion
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66889

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Review

Hyperion’s Romantic Piano Concerto series is surely one of the most absorbing and enterprising of current recording projects. Now up to Vol. 14, it shows no signs of becoming stale and, as this marvellous issue demonstrates, there is still a wealth of rare and often previously unrecorded repertoire waiting to be rediscovered.

Henry Litolff (1818-91) wrote five Concertos symphoniques of which four survive. As their title suggests these works are symphonic in conception, and the addition of a Scherzo (placed second, after late-Beethoven) to the classical concerto model, and the large orchestral resources, replete with four horns and three trombones, underline their symphonic weight. (Nevertheless, Berlioz’s view of these works not as concertos, but rather as symphonies with piano obbligato, seems to me to overstate the case.)

Peter Donohoe offers the first recording of the Second Concerto (1844), and he is authoritative and commanding. He produces a characteristically full tone which suitably complements the fullness of the orchestral writing, yet his brilliant articulation of the rondo finale shows that he can be as glittering and effervescent as he can be majestic.

It is the Fourth Concerto (1851-2), however, which is most striking. The Scherzo, with its sprightly gait and colourful orchestration is justly famous and usually performed separately. It is good, therefore, to be able to hear it in context, framed by an imposing first movement and a lovely Andante religioso slow movement followed by a full-scale sonata-structured finale. Again Donohoe’s playing is an almost perfect balance of bold assertiveness, lively animation and subtle delicacy. In certain passages one might wish for a slightly more caressing tone, or a little more open affection, but this does not detract from what is a hugely impressive achievement.

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra create a wonderful sound and, as one has come to expect from Hyperion, the recording and presentation are first-class.

-- Tim Parry, Gramophone

More reviews:
BBC Music Magazine  PERFORMANCE: **** / SOUND: ***
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Jan03/Litolff.htm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Litolff-Concertos-Symphoniques-2-4/dp/B000002ZY8
http://www.amazon.com/The-Romantic-Piano-Concerto-Vol/dp/B000002ZY8

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Henry Litolff (5 February 1818 – 5 or 6 August 1891) was a piano virtuoso, composer of Romantic music and music publisher. A prolific composer, he is today known mainly for a single brief work – the scherzo from his Concerto Symphonique No. 4 in D minor – and remembered as the founder of the Collection Litolff, a highly regarded publishing imprint of classical music scores. His most notable works were the five concertos symphoniques, essentially symphonies with piano obbligato. The first one, in D minor, is lost. His music was admired by Franz Liszt and he was the dedicatee of Liszt's own First Piano Concerto.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Litolff

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Peter Donohoe (born 18 June 1953 in Manchester, England) is an English classical pianist. Donohoe exclusively signed with EMI Records in 1988, beginning a relationship that lasted until 1993, producing a major collection of CDs, which tend largely towards 20th century composers. Since 1993, he has made many recordings on a freelance basis with Deutsche Gramophon, Hyperion, Chandos, BMG, Warner and Naxos. His series of recordings devoted to British works for piano and orchestra was inaugurated in 2001, growing to a catalogue of 14 works.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Donohoe_(pianist)
http://www.peter-donohoe.com/en/home

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