Two Beautiful Piano Concertos
D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 01/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The two concertos on this disc deserve much more attention than they have been given. They are beautiful works with wonderfully conceived melodies. Massenet and Hahn did not write what could be termed 'profound' concertos like Beethoven or Brahms but they are charming and unforgetable. Both concertos are expertly played and Mr. Combs has the right interpretation. These concertos have become favorites of mine."
Massenet takes all
janus_kreisler_sachs | the Midwest, USA | 07/23/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Each CD of Hyperion's "Romantic Piano Concerto" series usually pairs a very satisfying, well structured concerto with one that is more overtly showy yet more loosely structured musically. In this case it is the Hahn concerto which is the more loosely structured one. It is certainly interesting harmonically (some progressions sound like early Debussy, though much less subtle), and the solo part is certainly quite flashy, but structurally it is quite shoddy. Too often does the work wonder around aimlessly, living from moment to moment while sacrificing overall coherence and narrative drive. If you have a taste for such virtuoso-centered concerti perhaps you will find the Hahn more eventful than I did.
The Massenet concerto, on the other hand, is quite a find. Anyone who knows and loves his operas (I have a weakness for "Werther" myself) will find this work irresistible. Unsurprisingly, the work is full of lovely themes -- the main theme of the second movement is particularly memorable. But Massenet is also careful to develop his motives in a logical manner, ensuring a healthy sense of narrative. The work is mainly lyrical (almost sugary, but it *just* escapes being sentimental), though there are also more vigorous sections too, such as the middle section of the second movement and most of the lively "Slavic" finale. The performances are for the most part excellent, with only a few faults here and there (such as the final high violin note in the second movement of the Massenet). Sound is splendid (as usual for Hyperion). For me, the Massenet concerto is certainly worth the price."
Airs Slovaques: You'll be hooked
G. Griesel | South Africa | 11/16/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I can highly recommend this CD. Although the two concertos, especially the Hahn concerto, are not memorable, I can guarantee that you will not tire of this CD in your collection. As with all recordings in this Hyperion collection of 'The Romantic Piano Concerto' the sound quality is of the very highest caliber and the performance is faultless. As with the other recordings in the series, the volume level of the piano is JUST right.
The third movement of the Massenet concerto (Airs Slovaques), although only seven minutes long, is one of the most beautiful sections of piano concerto music I have ever heard. Like me, you'll be hooked.
As a whole, I would have liked the volume level of the tympani to be higher, but that does not deter from a technically brilliant recording."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1
