FELICJA BLUMENTAL : Friends and Rivals : Beethoven and Hoffmeister

Editorial Reviews
Album Description

Felicja Blumental

Friends and Rivals : Beethoven and Hoffmeister

Ludwig van Beethoven

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op. 15

Felicja Blumental : Piano
Robert Wagner : Conductor
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Recorded : Innsbruck, 1962

Franz Anton Hoffmeister

Piano Concerto in D major

Felicja Blumental : Piano
Alberto Zedda : Conductor
Prague Chamber Orchestra
Recorded : Milan, 1967

FELICJA BLUMENTAL : Friends and Rivals : Beethoven and Hoffmeister, Music, Ludwig van Beethoven

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FELICJA BLUMENTAL : Friends and Rivals : Beethoven and Hoffmeister

Manufacturer: Brana Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007UXJ38
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Album Description

Felicja Blumental

Friends and Rivals : Beethoven and Hoffmeister

Ludwig van Beethoven

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op. 15

Felicja Blumental : Piano
Robert Wagner : Conductor
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Recorded : Innsbruck, 1962

Franz Anton Hoffmeister

Piano Concerto in D major

Felicja Blumental : Piano
Alberto Zedda : Conductor
Prague Chamber Orchestra
Recorded : Milan, 1967

Tracks:

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op. 15: Allegro con brio
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op. 15: Largo
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op. 15: Rondo-Finale-Allegro
Hoffmeister Piano Concerto in D major: Allegro brioso
Hoffmeister Piano Concerto in D major: Adagio
Hoffmeister Piano Concerto in D major: Allegretto

Album Description

It is noticeable that there are relatively few major works from the first decades of the 19th Century still in the repertoire, and of course Beethoven's tower over any of them. But although his cantankerous nature was legendary, Beethoven's disdain for his contemporaries may just have reflected how few composers were attempting to write masterpieces at the time.

In this picture, Franz Anton Hoffmeister (1754 - 1812) holds an unusual place: a contemporary composer of some note, and one of Beethoven's publishers. He had come to Vienna to study law, but was so entranced with the musical scene that he took to composing. He subsequently founded a publishing firm, Bureau de Musique, which later became the prominent firm CF Peters.

While it is perhaps no surprise that Hoffmeister's works have not all survived, it is sobering to recall that a hundred years after the publication of Beethoven's first piano concerto, neither his works nor those of Bach or Mozart were often played in Vienna (except, as the great pianist Artur Schnabel recalled, "by students and debutantes") It is unlikely Beethoven will be neglected again, and fortunately, some artists still seek out those works which have fallen by the wayside, such as Hoffmeister's piano concerto recorded here.

The pianist Felicja Blumental's repertoire included many lesser known works. Her husband, the art collector Markus Mizne, patiently combed the libraries of Europe in search of neglected and forgotten works for his wife, including Beethoven's own transcription of his violin concerto, replete with original cadenza (available on Brana Records, BR0004). The New York Times said "the listener cannot help but be grateful to Miss Blumental for going to the trouble or learning all these works and recording them. She is a fine pianist, who gives a clear account of the music."

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