Search - Alexander Goedicke, Martyn Brabbins, Glasgow BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra :: Glazunov: Piano Concertos 1 & 2

Lush romantic pieces

NotATameLion | Michigan | 10/10/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For most of us, the phrases "Russian" and "Piano Concerto" bring to mind one name: Rachmaninov. Other names may enter the picture--Tchaikovsky or perhaps Prokofiev. The audience these given to these works are well deserved. Yet what if someone told you there were jewels lost in the shadows of these monoliths? Would you go in search of them?Those starting out on this search need look no further than this wonderful recording. All three pieces on this disc represent a facet of what is great about the Russian Romantic Piano Concerto.Hyperion's previous Russian issues (Rimsky-Korsakov, Arensky, Medtner) in their "Romantic Piano Concerto" series have built a solid foundation that might cause one to expect a lot from this recording. Fear not. This disc lives up to and even exceeds those expectations.Stephen Coombs (who also previously recorded the series' Mendelssohn and Arensky issues) is back. He is a master of this repertoire. Coombs gives a nimble, dreamy reading to Glazunov's not quite languid, melancholy first concerto. In the second concerto, Coombs seamlessly weaves his way through the lush strings and lilting woodwinds in order to present Glazunov's vision of true beauty.Yet as great as Glazunov's concertos are, the real treat to be found here (as it is on so many of the discs in this series) is in the shorter piece. Goedicke's Concertstuck lives in a very similar musical realm to that of Glazunov's concertos. What sets it apart from Glazunov is that it replaces the guile so often felt in the concertos with a lively and charming mirth.With Martyn Brabbins, one of the world's most underrated conductors at the helm of the impressive BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, there is little fault one can find with this album.I give this recording my full recommendation."

Great Russian Music

Alan Beggerow | Rock Falls, IL USA | 05/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Actually, great music regardless of it being Russian or not. Glazunov has gotten much of his music recorded the last few years, and rightly so. His music is always well written and has its moments of power and beauty. These concertos are very well constructed and should be heard more often.But the real gem is the Concertstucke by Goedicke. It is a short piece, but it triumphs in quality over quantity. The orchestration and piano part blend into a solid piece of virtuosic music in the best sense of the word. It not only bears repeated hearings, but invites them. A highly recommended disc. The Glazunov is rock-solid, the Goedicke is incredible."

Hyperion/Coombs serve up another unknown treasure

A. Steele | Palm Coast, FL USA | 09/20/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this disc to hear the Glazunov Concertos, but the jewel I found is the Goedicke Concertstuck. Having never even heard his name before I am astounded. Thank you again Hyperion for this outstanding series of seldom heard concertos. I have enjoyed Coombs playing the wonderful Bortkiewicz #1 many times since purchasing it but this Goedicke piece is even more exciting to hear. The only thing better would be a live performance of this work by Coombs, a la Argerich's Rachmaninoff #3. It could bring the house down. Buy this disc if only for the one Goedicke track. You will play it over and over."