Eyvind Alnæs; Christian Sinding - Piano Concertos (Piers Lane)

Information

Composer: Eyvind Alnæs; Christian Sinding

1. Alnæs - Piano Concerto in D major, Op. 27: 1. Allegro moderato
2. Alnæs - Piano Concerto in D major, Op. 27: 2. Lento
3. Alnæs - Piano Concerto in D major, Op. 27: 3. Allegro assai, tempo di valse
4. Sinding - Piano Concerto in D flat major, Op. 6: 1. Allegro non troppo
5. Sinding - Piano Concerto in D flat major, Op. 6: 2. Andante
6. Sinding - Piano Concerto in D flat major, Op. 6: 3. Allegro non assai

Piers Lane, piano
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Litton, conductor

Date: 2007
Label: Hyperion
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67555

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Review

Northern lights in the Norwegian piano concerto firmament

YFor the 42nd issue in its “Romantic Piano Concerto” series, Hyperion turns for inspiration to Norway and, in a first recording of Eyvind Alnæs’s Concerto, they light up the sky like an aurora borealis. Here is music very much for those in love with the most succulent romanticism, with lush, lavishly decorated melodies and a fin de siècle array of props. The opening Allegro moderato follows one sumptuous gesture with another (Tinseltown has been slow off the mark in failing to capitalise on such glamour) and in the central Lento the pianist weaves starry figuration around the orchestra’s full-blooded outcry. In the finale all fashionable gloom is cast aside for a rollicking waltz guaranteed to sweep its dancers (to say nothing of the hard-working pianist) off the floor. So for those wishing to venture beyond the Grieg or MacDowell concertos 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, though even he is hard-pressed to make a convincing case for Sinding’s less heart-warming Concerto. Here, the music remains more effortful than inspired, huffing and puffing its way through one inflated gesture after another. Yet listening to Lane in the sequence commencing at 5'15" in the finale is to be reminded of playing as to the romantic manner born. Andrew Litton and the Bergen Philharmonic are a perfect foil for their scintillating and indefatigable soloist, and Hyperion’s sound balance is impeccable.

-- Bryce Morrison, Gramophone

More reviews:
ClassicsToday  ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10 / SOUND QUALITY: 10
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/Apr07/Alnaes_CDA67555.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/3664130/Classical-CDs-of-the-week.html
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/apr/13/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1
http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-romantic-piano-concerto-vol-19-aln-aelig-s-amp-sinding-mw0001381125
http://www.amazon.com/Romantic-Piano-Concerto-Eyvind-Alnaes/dp/B000NJM4IO

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Eyvind Alnæs (29 April 1872, Fredrikstad – 24 December 1932, Oslo) was a Norwegian composer, pianist, organist and choir director. Alnæs studied music first in Oslo with Iver Holter, then in Leipzig with Carl Reinecke and, after the première of his first symphony in 1896, in Berlin with Julius Ruthardt. Alnæs wrote music in a late Romantic style; his output included two symphonies, one set of symphonic variations, a piano concerto, pieces for piano, chorale preludes for organ, choral works, and art songs (in Norwegian, romanser). A number of his songs, as well as his piano concerto and symphonies have been recorded.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyvind_Aln%C3%A6s

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Christian August Sinding (11 January 1856 – 3 December 1941) was a Norwegian composer. He studied music first in Christiania before going to Germany, where he studied at the conservatory in Leipzig under Salomon Jadassohn. He is known for his lyrical works for piano, such as Frühlingsrauschen (Rustle of Spring, 1896). Among his other works are four symphonies, three violin concertos, a piano concerto, chamber music, songs and choral works to Norwegian texts, and an opera, Der Heilige Berg (The Holy Mountain, 1914). He was often compared to Edvard Grieg and regarded as his successor. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Sinding

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Piers Lane (born 8 January 1958) is an Australian classical pianist. He graduated with a Medal of Excellence from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, where his teacher was Nancy Weir. Lane's performance career has taken him to more than 40 countries, including five times as a soloist at the BBC Proms. His concerto repertoire exceeds 75 works. Lane has an extensive discography on the Hyperion label and has also recorded for EMI, Decca, BMG, Lyrita and Unicorn-Kanchana. Lane is a well-known voice on BBC Radio 3, having written and presented more than 100 programs, including a 54-part series called The Piano.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piers_Lane

http://www.pierslane.com/

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