Wilhelm Stenhammar - Piano Concertos (Seta Tanyel)

Information

Composer: Wilhelm Stenhammar

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 1: I. Molto moderato e maestoso - Sostenuto e tranquillo - Agitato
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 1: II. Vivacissimo
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 1: III. Andante
4. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 1: IV. Allegro commodo - Andante con moto
5. Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 23: I. Moderato - Allegro molto energico - Più tranquillo
6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 23: II. Molto vivace - Allegretto - Adagio - Molto vivace
7. Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 23: III. Adagio
8. Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 23: IV. Tempo moderato - Animato - Più animato

Seta Tanyel, piano
Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Manze, conductor

Date: 2009
Label: Hyperion
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67750

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Review

A year following his piano debut in Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, the 22-year-old Wilhelm Stenhammar penned his own first concerto, and subsequently performed it under distinctive conductors like Hans Richter and Richard Strauss. Clearly Brahms' influence informs Stenhammar's formal ambitions as well as his love for big chords and non-showy octaves, although the second-movement Vivacissimo owes not a little to Saint-Saëns' scampering effervescence, as does the more concise Second concerto's Scherzo. Whatever their influences, both concertos are serious, substantial works that offer plenty of opportunity for soloist and orchestra to shine.

Although excellent recorded versions exist - notably the Widlund/Rozhdestvensky First on Chandos and the Ortiz/Järvi No. 2 on BIS - pianist Seta Tanyel's supple virtuosity and sure command of style now take top honors. She appropriately builds her sonorities from the bottom up, while the composer's frequent tremolo chords are always varied in inflection, and never clangorous. The Second concerto's slow movement especially stands out for Tanyel's sensitive, mobile lyricism and naturally singing tone. Furthermore, conductor Andrew Manze incisively shapes Stenhammar's sonorous woodwind writing, and the Helsingborg Symphony strings boast superior presence and heft over their Malmo colleagues on BIS. Manze's enthusiasm spills over into his informative and entertainingly erudite booklet notes. What's not to recommend about this 49th volume in Hyperion's valuable Romantic Piano Concerto series?

-- Jed Distler, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Nov09/Stenhammar_cda67750.htm
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/13/stenhammar-piano-concertos-album-review
http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Review/244612,stenhammar-piano-concertos-nos-1-2-piano-seta-tanyel-helsingborg-so/manze.aspx
http://www.allmusic.com/album/stenhammar-piano-concertos-nos-1-amp-2-mw0001876277
http://www.amazon.com/Romantic-Piano-Concerto-vol-Stenhammar/dp/B002ODS5N0

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Wilhelm Stenhammar (February 7, 1871 – November 20, 1927) was a Swedish composer, conductor and pianist. He received his first musical education in Stockholm, then went to Berlin to further his studies. Initially an admirer of German music, particularly that of Wagner and Bruckner, Stenhammar subsequently sought to write in a more "Nordic" style, looking to Nielsen and Sibelius for guidance. His works were quite varied and among them included 2 completed symphonies, a Serenade for Orchestra and two piano concertos. Stenhammar was also considered the finest Swedish pianist of his time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Stenhammar

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Born in Istanbul of Armenian parentage, Seta Tanyel studied at the Vienna Hochschule für Musik with Dieter Weber and Bruno Seidlhofer, and in London with Louis Kentner. She was a major prizewinner at the 1973 Beethoven Competition and the 1974 Arthur Rubinstein Competition. Acclaimed as much for her distinguished performances of the core repertoire as for her consistent championing of the works of lesser-known composers, Tanyel has excited much attention from audiences around the world. She has received countless critical accolades for her recordings on the Chandos, Collins Classics and Hyperion labels.
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/a.asp?a=A140

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