Joseph Rheinberger; Bernhard Scholz - Piano Concertos (Simon Callaghan)

Information

Composer: Joseph Rheinberger; Bernhard Scholz

• (01) Rheinberger - Piano Concerto in A flat major, Op. 94
• (04) Scholz - Piano Concerto in B major, Op. 57
• (07) Scholz - Capriccio for piano and orchestra, Op. 35

Simon Callaghan, piano
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Ben Gernon, conductor

Date: 2018
Label: Hyperion
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68225

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Review

I first made the acquaintance of Rheinberger, born six years after Brahms, through his organ sonatas, and it is in that capacity that he’s arguably best known. We’ve now reached Vol 76 in Hyperion’s ‘Romantic Piano Concerto’ and it’s a series that continues to surprise and delight. Simon Callaghan (who made such a good job of the concertos by the splendidly named Roger Sacheverell Coke in Vol 73 – 11/17) is undaunted by the demands – technical and musical – confronting him during the course of the disc.

Brahms may have dreaded composing in the shadow of Beethoven but spare a thought for those who composed in the shadow of Brahms. The Rheinberger Concerto sets off in a mood of confident pomp, its chest metaphorically puffed out, and Callaghan has the technical wherewithal to encompass all its challenges – from big chordal textures to glistening passagework – while the supremely gifted Ben Gernon coaxes terrifically colourful playing from the BBC Scottish SO. If it’s not exactly a work abounding in hummable tunes, there’s a strong sense of structure and development (particularly in the first movement), and plenty of opportunities for the piano to duet with members of the orchestra. Rheinberger’s ear for orchestration really comes into its own in the slow movement (which lives up to its Patetico heading) – sample the woodwind interjections from 4'07" of track 2. It breathes the same air as Brahms without being cowed by the comparison. The finale is also beautifully judged, from the striking chordal opening to the unhurried dialogue that unfolds between soloist and orchestra, which gets sidetracked by more skittish writing, to delightful effect. Though we owe a debt to Michael Ponti for making this work’s first recording, it pales in comparison with the new one, especially where the orchestra is concerned.

The remainder of the disc is, frankly, less ear-catching, though that’s certainly not the fault of the performers. Both works here are recording premieres: Scholz’s Capriccio is a harmless makeweight, while the B major Concerto sets off with galumphing rhythms reminiscent of Schumann, though there’s an overdependence here on decorative effect. The second movement is built around a Brahmsian-style consoling melody but it’s a pale imitation of the real thing. The most effective movement is the finale, which is suitably sprightly and, like everything else here, most engaging played.

-- Harriet Smith, Gramophone

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2018/Sep/Rheinberger_Scholz_CDA68225.htm
http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_cd_review.php?id=15735
https://www.audaud.com/the-romantic-piano-concerto-76-concertos-of-rheinberger-scholz-simon-callaghan-hyperion/
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-romantic-piano-concerto-vol-76-rheinberger-scholz-mw0003177988
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rheinberger-Concerto-Callaghan-Scottish-Orchestra/dp/B07BFB59TY

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Josef Rheinberger (17 March 1839, in Vaduz – 25 November 1901, in Munich) was an organist and composer, born in Liechtenstein and lived most of his life in Germany. The stylistic influences on Rheinberger ranged from Brahms to Mendelssohn, Schumann, Schubert and, above all, Bach. A distinguished teacher, his students included Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, Engelbert Humperdinck, Richard Strauss and Wilhelm Furtwängler. Rheinberger was also a prolific composer. His works include twelve Masses, a Requiem, a Stabat Mater, several operas, symphonies, chamber music, and choral works.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Rheinberger

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Bernhard Scholz (30 March 1835 – 26 December 1916) was a German conductor, composer and teacher of music. He was a student of Ernst Pauer (piano) in Mainz, and 1855-56 of Siegfried Dehn (counterpoint) in Berlin. He also took voice lessons with Antonio Sangiovanni in Milan. Scholz taught at various institutions, including the Munich Conservatory, the Stern Conservatory and the Kullak Conservatory. He was director of the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt from 1883 to 1901. As a composer, his Piano Concerto was championed by Clara Schumann, who included it in her repertory.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhard_Scholz

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Simon Callaghan’s recent concert tours have taken him throughout Europe, and to Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and Canada. He has also performed at all of the UK’s major concert halls. His festival invitations have included Highgate, Whittington and Cervo Chamber Music. Simon’s interest in rarely performed works has led to invitations to perform concertos by Françaix and Tippett, while his discography includes works ranging from Brahms and Ravel to Sterndale Bennett, Delius and Parry. Callaghan is Head of Piano at the Ingenium Academy and gives regular masterclasses.
https://www.simoncallaghan.com/

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