Search - Robert Fuchs, Friedrich Kiel, Martyn Brabbins :: Fuchs: Piano Concerto, Op. 27; Kiel: Piano Concerto, Op. 30

	Robert Fuchs, Friedrich Kiel, Martyn Brabbins Fuchs: Piano Concerto, Op. 27; Kiel: Piano Concerto, Op. 30 Genre: Classical Robert Fuchs (1847-1927) and Friedrich Kiel (1821-1885) both composed directly in Beethoven's shadow, although Fuchs was also a close friend of, and was influenced by, Brahms. These two concertos are big and Romantic, and ... more » « less
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CD Details

All Artists: Robert Fuchs, Friedrich Kiel, Martyn Brabbins, Glasgow BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martin Roscoe
Title: Fuchs: Piano Concerto, Op. 27; Kiel: Piano Concerto, Op. 30
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: Hyperion UK
Original Release Date: 1/1/2003
Re-Release Date: 3/11/2003
Album Type: Import
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Forms & Genres, Concertos, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 034571173542

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Robert Fuchs (1847-1927) and Friedrich Kiel (1821-1885) both composed directly in Beethoven's shadow, although Fuchs was also a close friend of, and was influenced by, Brahms. These two concertos are big and Romantic, and will excite and please fans of highly symphonic works in which the interplay between piano and a grand orchestra is exciting and outstanding. The earlier work has a nice, somewhat self-indulgent, but melodic first movement, a loving middle movement and a razzle-dazzle finale. Fuchs' concerto also features a last movement which is stunning in its virtuosity, an opener which is dramatic enough to immediately grab the listener, and a centerpiece which is enchanting. Martin Roscoe plays both concerti brilliantly and Brabbins leads the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with great energy. The sound is broad and realistic. Highly recommended. --Robert Levine

CD Reviews

Two Fantastic Concertos

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 09/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Fuchs was a good friend of Johannes Brahms; so much that the younger Fuchs dedicated his piano concerto to the older master. Fuchs was also remarkable in that he respected the abilities of Brahms as being superior to his own: ego did not enter into his compositions. Like many of the composers in Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto series, Robert Fuchs was unjustly forgotten after enjoying a career of great esteem.

Fuchs' Piano Concerto was composed in 1879-80 written under the watchful eye of Brahms. The concerto opens with a dramatic extended introduction for the orchestra. The music becomes calm and pastoral prior to the entrance of the soloist reworking the dramatic opening melody. The inventive harmonies and melodies of this long opening movement keep the music highly interesting. The development of the music is inventive and the heroic quality of the themes holds the listener. The slow movement is tranquil with profoundly heartfelt melodies. The finale offers the soloist a chance to display his skills with a demanding part. The melodies are brilliantly conceived with the interplay between soloist and orchestra highly engaging. This is a powerful movement that keeps the listener at the edge of their seat all the way to the thunderous octaves that close the concerto.

Fried rich Kiel was a generation older than Robert Fuchs. He was a modest person who did not promote his compositions so at his death he was quickly forgotten. He a famous teacher and had student from around the world attend his classes; among his pupils was Paderewski and Stanford. Kiel's Piano Concerto was composed in 1864 and was dedicated to Hans von Bulow.

The concerto is very much in the mold of Beethoven with bold, extrovert melodies dominating the first movement. The middle movement is tranquil and, like Beethoven's Emperor concerto, evokes a dream-like landscape. The finale is dominated by a dance melody and Kiel weaves a lively rondo that also allows the soloist to display technical brilliance.

Both concertos on this disc are engaging works that deserve to be better known. The performances by Martin Roscoe and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Martyn Brabbins are superb.

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