D'Albert : Piano Concertos/Overture

On this CD:

1. Der Improvisator, opera Overture
Composed by Eugen d' Albert
Performed by Karl-Andreas Kolly
Conducted by Ronald Zollman

2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in E major, Op. 12
Composed by Eugen d' Albert
Performed by Karl-Andreas Kolly
Conducted by Ronald Zollman

3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B minor, Op. 2
Composed by Eugen d' Albert
Performed by Karl-Andreas Kolly
Conducted by Ronald Zollman

Tracks:

Overture: Esther
Pno Con No.1 in b, Op.2: Mag
Pno Con No.1 in b, Op.2: Langsam mit Empfindung
Pno Con No.1 in b, Op.2: Erstes Zeitma
Pno Con No.1 in b, Op.2: Cadenza
Pno Con No.1 in b, Op.2: Dasselbe Zeitma
Pno Con No.2 in E, Op.12: Mag bewegt
Pno Con No.2 in E, Op.12: Langsam
Pno Con No.2 in E, Op.12: Sehr lebhaft
Pno Con No.2 in E, Op.12: Wie vorher

Customer Reviews:

Very good recording of some rare concertos.......2003-07-08

Eugen d'Albert, a pupil of Liszt, was one of the finest pianists in the late 19th century. When I listened to these concertos, I was fortunate enough to have the full score in front of me. The most remarkable aspect of these concertos is the wonderful orchestral coloring. It's seems like a cross between Liszt and Rachmaninov--the melodies are very pleasing, although perhaps not as profound as d'Albert contemporary masters. While these concertos were also recorded on Hyperion's label, I can't imagine that Hyperion's edition could be that much better than this one to warrent a price almost three times as high! Joseph Banowetz seems very able to handle the difficult piano writing, and the balance is very excellent. It's a shame these concertos aren't more standard in the repertoire. They are surely some great late-romantic masterpieces.