British Piano Concertos

[Lance]

It seems as though nobody talks about British piano concertos, of which there are many. Recently I acquired a couple of LYRITA CDs featuring British piano concertos, and these two discs provide nine for us. Lyrita is a great little label domiciled in England. While I have a great love of just about piano concertos, these are unknown to many:

LYRITA 407, 68:33
•John Addison (1920-1998)
Wellington Suite (1959)*
•Arthur Benjamin (1893-1960)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1927)
•Elizabeth Maconchy (1907-1994)
Concertino for Piano and String Orchestra (1949)*
•Humphrey Searle (1915-1982)
Concertante for Piano, Percussion and Strings, Op. 24*
•Edmund Rubbra (1901-1986)
Nature's Song (1920) (Tone Poem for Orchestra, Organ and Piano)*
•Geoffrey Busch (1920-1998)
A Little Concerto on Themes of Thomas Arne for Piano and Strings (1939)*
* indicates first recording
Simon Callaghan, piano
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Martin Brabbins, conductor
LYRITA 416, 72:36
•Gordon Jacob (1895-1984)
Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major (1957)*
•John Addison (1920-1998)
Variations for Piano and Orchestra (1948)*
•Edmund Rubbra (1901-1986)
Piano Concerto, Op. 30 (1932)* #
* indicates first recording
Simon Callaghan, piano
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Stephen Bell, conductor
#George Vass, conductor

While most of the composers' names are known to me, their piano concertos are not, hence first recordings to familiarize myself with these. I approached them with some trepidation, not knowing what to expect, and then maybe I did, and am in the process of hearing the first volume at the moment. The Australian, Arthur Benjamin was well known, especially for one piece, his Jamaican Rhumba, from 1938, which I really enjoyed. Most of what my ears have heard have been ear-pleasing or at least acceptable. Maconchy's work didn't leave much of an impression, perhaps a bit ahead of its time for 1949. Searle's 4'10" work has a touch of drama built in (I envision it in a film sequence). The Rubbra has some interesting moments. The Bush caught my ear with its Bach-like reminiscences, after all, having been composed on Arne's theme (Arne died in 1778), so that connection is not surprising.
The remaining volume of British piano concertos I'll delve into later. I just felt like writing about something new (to me) and wonder what CMGers think about any of these works or may be interested in the recordings. My other interest was pianist Simon Callaghan, who plays supremely well throughout what I have heard thus far. Sound quality is lifelike and well "homogenized." The Geoffrey Bush and Arthur Benjamin works were the most interesting to me and well worth having the disc for those pieces alone. ♫

[Belle]

The Britten very much appeals to me!!

[jserraglio]

I have collected Lyrita recordings since the days of the LP (via the Musical Heritage Society reissues). There are many great British compositions for the piano. I have always liked Frank Bridge, Ernest Moeran, and John Ireland. Arnold Bax's solo piano works also come to mind.

But basically, if I see it on Lyrita I grab it immediately. One of the great labels!

[Rach3]

Thanks much, several I have not heard and must do so. A few not mentioned I can recommend:

Sir Arthur Bliss' PC
York Bowen PCs Nos. 3,4
George Lloyd PCs Nos.3,4
Herbert Howells' No.2

[diegobueno]

Don't forget the Michael Tippett Piano Concerto:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LLYOWOp2l4

[jserraglio]

& Don’t forget…

Stanford, Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.126

Bridge, Piano Concerto In C

Rawsthorne, Piano Concerto No.1

[Lance]

I've got about 20 Lyrita CDs, and quite a few on LP. The picture you show of the British Piano Concertos, that must be the four CD set No. 2345? If so, that one I have ... filled with piano concerted works. Another is No. 2286, a two CD set. Here we have other concerted works by Hurlstone (1876-1906), Cyril Scott and others with fine pianists such as John Ogdon, Eric Parkin, Malcolm Binns and others. Very interesting to go through all this material.

I have collected Lyrita recordings since the days of the LP (via the Musical Heritage Society reissues). There are many great British compositions for the piano. I have always liked Frank Bridge, Ernest Moeran, and John Ireland. Arnold Bax's solo piano works also come to mind.

But basically, if I see it on Lyrita I grab it immediately. One of the great labels!

[Rach3]

Fascinating, John Ogdon's Piano Concerto No.1 written apparently in 1965 after he and Ashkenzy shared Gold at the 1962 Tchaikovsky Competition and before Ogdon went off the rails completely ( I have the recording in an Ogdon box) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXaWIexf1oQ

[Belle]

In what way did Ogden go 'off the rails', as I didn't hear about this. The other concertos from composers mentioned just above have mostly suffered the same fate, I suggested some time ago, of rendering the concerto form somewhat effete. Maybe this is why they're not repertory standards, having been sidelined in favour of Prokofiev, Bartok and others.

I'm willing to be persuaded that this isn't correct.

[jserraglio]

Severe mental illness, possibly bipolar disorder.

John Ogdon, the great British pianist who blazed fitfully in the musical firmament for a few short years before his mind gave way . . . https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/boo ... eview.html

[Rach3]

Heard the Benjamin and Jacob No.2 PCs today, first hearings so thanks again , Lance.

The Benjamin will be a one-hear for me, but after an underwhelming first mov., the Jacob has wonderful slow mov. and final, will re-hear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwe_9W-7qMw

Jacob also wrote a PC for one piano, 3-hands also at YT I have yet to hear, and has a PC No.1 of course,both of which I'll explore.

[Rach3]

Heard the Benjamin and Jacob No.2 PCs today, first hearings so thanks again , Lance.

The Benjamin will be a one-hear for me, but after an underwhelming first mov., the Jacob has wonderful slow mov. and final, will re-hear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwe_9W-7qMw

Jacob also wrote a PC for one piano, 3-hands also at YT I have yet to hear, and has a PC No.1 of course,both of which I'll explore.

Fww, all 3 Jacob PCs are very attractive ; will re-hear all tomorrow.

He also wrote at least 2 symphonies I have not heard.

[Febnyc]

I enjoy the two piano concertos of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (well, he was Irish - but I guess that's close enough).

Also a concerto which seems to have fallen into unwarranted obscurity - by Arthur Bliss. This impressive work was premiered by Solomon in 1939 (in Carnegie Hall!). I've owned the CD performance by Philip Fowke, and every time I listen I wonder why it's never heard.

[Rach3]

I enjoy the two piano concertos of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (well, he was Irish - but I guess that's close enough).

Also a concerto which seems to have fallen into unwarranted obscurity - by Arthur Bliss. This impressive work was premiered by Solomon in 1939 (in Carnegie Hall!). I've owned the CD performance by Philip Fowke, and every time I listen I wonder why it's never heard.

Same here as to both , although I prefer the Bliss, which I believe was composed for the 1939 World's Fair in Chicago (?).Fww, Bliss also has a fine Cello Concerto and Piano Sonata.

[Rach3]

Heard the Benjamin and Jacob No.2 PCs today, first hearings so thanks again , Lance.

The Benjamin will be a one-hear for me, but after an underwhelming first mov., the Jacob has wonderful slow mov. and final, will re-hear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwe_9W-7qMw

Jacob also wrote a PC for one piano, 3-hands also at YT I have yet to hear, and has a PC No.1 of course,both of which I'll explore.

Fww, all 3 Jacob PCs are very attractive ; will re-hear all tomorrow.

He also wrote at least 2 symphonies I have not heard.

Have not heard the symphonies yet, and off-topic, but these Jacobs are well worth hearing (!) in addition to the piano concertos.Inexplicable none of these concertos apparently are played today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGy1jw6dMVo&t=15s (Violin Concerto)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RooFMGuPwuw&t=44s (Cello Concerto)

[jserraglio]

Listening now . . .