Tovey & Kodaly: Two Sonatas for Solo Cello

Track Listings

1. Sonata in D for Solo Cello, Opus 30" (Tovey)

2. Sonata for Solo Cello, Opus 8" (Kodály)

Editorial Reviews
Fanfare Magazine July/August 2000
"The present recording is little less than phenomenal. . . . utterly mesmerizing in its impact, insight and thrilling virtuosity."

Fanfare Magazine July/August 2000
" . . . a reading of colossal presence and impulse. . . . A brilliant achievement."

Tovey & Kodaly: Two Sonatas for Solo Cello

Tracks:

I. Moderato Nobile
II. Romance: Andante
III. Finale: Allegro Assai Vivace
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Presto In Moto Perpetuo
I. Andante Tranquillo
II. Presto Capriccioso Alla Napolitana
III. Vivace

Customer Reviews:

A Rising Violin Star Plays Three 20th-Century Romantic Violin Concerti Gorgeously.......2006-12-07

This disc featuring Manitoba-born violinist James Ehnes (pronounced 'Ennis') confirms for me my suspicion that he is one of the best of the younger generation of violin soloists on the concert circuit. I had heard and greatly admired his earlier recordings of Bach's Unaccompanied Violin Partitas and of Mozart's five Violin Concerti, but this is the first I've heard him play anything from the Romantic violin concerto literature. And although these three concertos -- those by Korngold, Barber, and Walton -- are from the twentieth century they are quintessentially Romantic in thrust.

Korngold's luscious concerto, written in a style I've always thought of as '1940s Hollywood chromatic' (think of Raksin's 'Laura' or Korngold's own film scores) was premiered by Heifetz in 1947 (recorded by him in a best-selling recording of the period) and incorporates themes from several of Korngold's film scores (e.g., Another Dawn, Juarez, Anthony Adverse and The Prince and the Pauper). Ehnes's tone is perhaps less cholesterol-rich than some but he plays this crowd-pleasing work with conviction and brilliance, using robust or delicate tone where called for. He is particularly effective in the songful middle movement and in the set of variations that make up the finale.

The story is well known of how Barber was commissioned to write his violin concerto for the protégé of a rich industrialist only to have the young violinist refuse to play it because the finale was technically too difficult. The first two movements brim with ultra-lyrical themes that are underscored by plush orchestral accompaniment that place the soloist directly in the spotlight. The finale -- presto in moto perpetuo -- is a knuckle-busting showpiece. All three movements are given sensational performances by Ehnes.

William Walton's Violin Concerto has been given marvelous recordings by Kyung-Wha Chung, Lydia Mordkevitch and, best of all, by Nigel Kennedy, the latter with the spectacularly effective orchestral accompaniment by the Royal Philharmonic conducted in nonpareil fashion by André Previn. Tough competition. But Ehnes, accompanied here as in all three concerti by the superb Vancouver Symphony under Bramwell Tovey, is definitely in the same league as the others. The Walton is not, in its first two movements, as technically demanding as the Korngold or Barber, but it may be the most emotionally complex of the three; it does not do well in the hands of young and emotionally inexperienced violinists. One need have no fear of a deficit in that regard by Ehnes. This is a superb rendition that eschews flash for emotional radiance. The Walton's finale -- presto capriccioso alla napolitana -- is fiercely difficult, however, written as it was for Heifetz who had asked for something demanding; it is a tarantella with a slew of off-accents, awkwardly placed (but breathtaking) double-stops and superhumanly complicated bowing. Ehnes manages all this with aplomb.

This disc is quite frankly a must-have for lovers of these three concerti. I for one will be eager to hear anything Mr Ehnes chooses to record and will certainly be on the look-out for Ehnes performances anywhere near my neck of the woods.

Strong recommendation.

Scott Morrison

Just Heard The Korngold Live.......2006-11-28

I have this on order as of today, but since there are no reviews, I thought I'd report my thoughts on James Ehnes's playing of the Korngold at the November 26, 2006, Houston Symphony concert -- it was absolutely fantastic!

Hilary Hahn was originally scheduled to play, but could not due to an illness. Ehnes was asked to fill in on Monday. While I'm a fan of Ms. Hahn, I think she would be hard pressed to play the Korngold any better than James Ehnes. How can you surpass perfection? -smile-

As for the Korngold, I had not heard it in thirty years. In hindsight, I greatly regret this. It is a magnificent work. At the end of the first movement, the word "WOW" kept going through my head. I found the second movement so emotionally moving, I had to bite my lip to keep from falling apart and disturbing the audience. A plus was the sound of James Ehnes's Stradivarius (on loan), which was so beautiful, especially in the upper ranges of the instrument.

This was a truly remarkable performance, by a truly remarkable talent. I think we will be seeing much more from this relatively young Canadian violinist in the future. I heard Perlman, Zukermann, and Yo-Yo Ma early in their careers. It would not surprise me in the least if Ehnes eventually reaches their ranks in terms of popularity. His playing very well may already be there. We will see.

After I receive the CD and have listened to it, I will edit this review. I have also ordered Shaham to compare.

As an aside, I remain delighted by the exceptionally high, world class level of playing by Houston Symphony. At this time, I can't think of a single orchestra that I would prefer to hear over this one. Eschenbach mined the diamonds, and Graf has cut and polished them to perfection.

Average customer rating:

The Whole Gamut
Music, Passion, Joy - Indeed!

Magic Horn

Manufacturer: Opening Day Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Essential Canadian Brass
Basin Street
Red Hot Jazz: The Dixieland Album
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Super Hits: Canadian Brass

ASIN: B0006PIQ3M
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

With You I'm Born Again
Libertango
Contrabajeando
Oblivion
Fracanapa
Caprice No. 24
Cakewalk on a Tightrope
Preacher On the Pier
Magic Horn Tango
State Street Stomp
Concerto in G Major
Toccata
Rondo (from Horn Quintet K407)
Water Music - Allegro Vivace
Water Music - Air
Water Music - Hornpipe
Water Music - Allegro Maestoso
Echoes of Harlem
Quintet

Album Description

The five virtuosi of Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for serious concert music. The quintet — now in its 34th season — consists of Joe Burgstaller, trumpet; Stuart Laughton, trumpet; Jeff Nelsen, French horn; Gene Watts, trombone; and Chuck Daellenbach on tuba. The group has a long history of recording classical repertoire. They have a special affinity for Baroque music, which requires the brilliance and musical structure that has become the Canadian Brass' trademark. Their more than 50 recordings to date include works by Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven and Wagner — all in meticulously crafted transcriptions that are setting new musical traditions in brass performance. They are especially drawn to the works of J.S. Bach. The Canadian Brass sprang from modest and highly experimental roots in Toronto, Ontario, in 1970. The brass quintet was not established as a serious concert ensemble at that time, and it proved an irresistible challenge to Gene and Chuck. Their imagination and consummate musicianship eventually elevated the art of the brass quintet to what it is today. Thanks to their pioneer status, the quintet developed a unique character and rapport with audiences that proved so successful that it has been emulated by many other ensembles. Canadian Brass master the gamut of concert presentations — from formal classical concerts to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects. No matter what the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication and excellence. Having started with the very limited base of traditional works for brass, Canadian Brass set out to create their own musical world by transcribing, arranging and commissioning more than 200 works; the most recent being the brilliant Quintet by Michael Kamen. They are not only presenting works in the classical repertoire but continue to take daring leaps into jazz, contemporary concert music and popular songs. Most of this music, including the Quintet, is published by Hal Leonard. It is the inspiration and musical staple of students and brass ensembles in North America and Europe. All members of the Canadian Brass are keenly interested in training the next generation of players. On their travels around the world, performing on gold-plated Yamaha instruments, they often pause for master classes. The famous five are chamber quintet-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California. Additionally, they have created an innovative brass summer course at the famous Eastman School of Music. They have been invited by the Canadian Government to play for visiting heads of states on numerous official occasions. There is no letting up for the Brass who posses a childlike love for what they do. It comes so naturally, it's hard to imagine them ever stopping!

Customer Reviews:

The Whole Gamut.......2007-03-09

I was introduced to this CD via YouTube. A brass player advised me to take a look and listen. It was one of the highlights of 07 for me. As a musician with no small amount of background, I can truthfully say that this reminds me of moments in my own career when I was blessed to be in the presence of greatness. The Canadian Brass is and established group of the highest caliber. Magic Horn is a good mix of styles and genre. The Bonus, a musical video filmed in a beautiful gorge west of Toronto is ethereal. The only sad part of the CD/Video is the commemoration at the end of Quintet. The loss of Michael Kamen as a composer is everyone's loss. What a gorgeous tribute. More Please!!

Music, Passion, Joy - Indeed!.......2005-02-19

Few recordings of any music type find their way into my library "sound unheard". Works of The Canadian Brass have typically found their way into my library just that way - they simply never produce anything but the best!

Magic Horn would certainly have been added to my collection at some point without a prior listening, but I had the great fortune to attend a recent CB concert where much of this beautiful music was played. Incidentally, if you've never attended a live CB performance, you've robbed yourself of one of the great musical experiences in life. Their recordings clearly reveal the members as masters of their trade - they are consummate musicians. However, what doesn't come across in the CDs is that they are entertainers of the highest caliber as well! Simply put, a CB concert is a guaranteed "BLAST" - it's the best sort of treat!

Now, back to the subject at hand: the key word here is "Magic". The repertoire of The Canadian Brass is astounding in its breadth and depth, and the selections of Magic Horn demonstrate once again, that nobody else does it quite like these guys. Who else in this genre would reprise the 80's Motown hit With You I'm Born Again - how appropriate, as it is certainly born again here. Astor Piazzolla's Cuatro Tangos gets an enthralling interpretation with trumpeter Burgstaller's fiery arrangement. Bramwell Tovey's Santa Barbara Sonata is simply sublime - I would gladly have purchased this CD if it only contained this piece! In what might just be the CD's finest moment (in the movement entitled "Preacher on the Pier") the familiar tune of J.S. Bach's hymn (Now thank we all our God) enters, "floating" on piccolo trumpet in counterpoint above the other parts - I believe Bach would heartily approve! He would undoubtedly approve of the inclusion of his Concerto in G Major. Frescobaldi's Toccata is a lyric beauty, as is Mozart's Rondo. Excerpts of Handel's Water Music and a Paganini Caprice round out the classical offerings on Magic Horn very nicely, indeed! The Ellington-Henderson Echoes of Harlem is an absolute gem - making me yearn for that bygone era! And, Quintet (so aptly named as the "bonus" track) - wow, what a bonus! The enhanced CD Feature (Music video of Quintet) is a very nice added touch.

Canadian Brass fans will no doubt be grabbing up Magic Horn in serious numbers. It's a sure bet that what you get with CB is musical expression at the summit. It's true, the group has undergone personnel changes over the years, but the anchors (Gene Watts on trombone, and Chuck Daellenbach on Tuba) remain; plus Stuart Laugton on trumpet (an original CB member) has returned! These stalwarts are an inspiration - a blessing for so many fans who are thankful that this group endures and continues to craft only the finest!

Average customer rating:

Great tribute to an underated performer
Frank's influence, no passing Fad
Finally...

Fad Gadget by Frank Tovey
Frank Tovey
Manufacturer: Mute U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Changing Hearts
Part Two. The Endless Not
Incontinent
Polyrock
Naked/Kissing the Pink

ASIN: B000I0QL5A
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Tracks:

Swallow It
Jump
Ideal World
Luddite Joe
Under the Flag II
Bridge St Shuffle
Sam Hall
Liberty Tree [Single Version]
Cities of the Plain
Chasing the Blues Away
All That Is Mine
Easy Listening-Ex 2
Immobilise
Place with the Pigs
Sleeper

Tracks:

State of the Nation [Demo Track]
Box [Demo Track]
Salt Lake City Sunday [Demo Track]
Coitus Interruptus [Demo Track]
Back to Nature [Demo Track]
State of the Nation [Released Version]
Box [Released Version]
Salt Lake City Sunday [Released Version]
Coitus Interruptus [Released Version]
Back to Nature
Ricky's Hand
Lady Shave
Collapsing New People
Love Parasite
Soroguai

Tracks:

Ricky's Hand
Life on the Line
Collapsing New People
Luxury
Luddite Joe
Bridge Street Shuffle
Sam Hall
Liberty Tree
All That Is Mine

Tracks:

Intro
Coitus Interruptus
Sheep Look Up
For Whom the Bells Toll
Life on the Line
For Whom the Bells Toll
Lady Shave
Back to Nature
State of the Nation
Coitus Interruptus
King of the Flies
I Discover Love
Ideal World
Collapsing New People
One Man's Meat
Ring
Jump
Ad Nauseam
Lemmings on Lover's Rock
Love Parasite
For Whom the Bells Toll
Ricky's Hand
Back to Nature
State of the Nation
Ricky's Hand
Love Parasite
Worried Man
Ricky's Hand
Collapsing New People
Chasing the Blues Away
Luxury
Box
Lady Shave
Love Parasite
Fireside Favourite
Coitus Interruptus
Ad Naseam
Back to Nature

Customer Reviews:

Great tribute to an underated performer.......2007-02-13

At first glance, this collection doesn't make sense - even to a fan of Frank Tovey. Unreleased tracks, unearthed demos and a slew of vintage clips for a performer who never saw the success of many of his peers. Director Alex Proyas (The Crow) has a few words. There are interviews with members of Depeche Mode and Anton Corbijn, included in a lovely hour long documentary. A set of this love and magnitude for the cult singer just doesn't make sense. Then you open up the sleeve notes and a vintage photo of Frank wearing a t shirt that advertised the newly formed Mute Records and it all comes together.

This set celebrates not only Frank's ability as an artist, but his contributions to popular music. As stated in the documentary, Depeche Mode was opening for Fad Gadget in Mute's beginings. When we see Frank's on stage antics (tar and feathers, shaving himself in unsuspecting places), we realize that Frank was more than another musician - but his music is not to be understated here. The set is the first representation of Frank's full career, even his post Fad days, where he was something of a folk singer. Also included is a new track, Sleeper, recorded in 96 and seems to be influenced by the trip hop era somewhat.

People catching Frank for the first time will be amazed at seeing a very complete, chronological set of tunes as well as concert performances. The synth driven material is the best on here, but his work with the Pyros was great too, and the best material is chosen for this package. Synth pop fans wanting to catch something of a darker, more energetic version of something along the lines of DM should love checking Frank's material out, while fans will be salivating over the wealth of rarities here.

It's also worth noting that this is one of the best assembled retrospective packages I've seen and clearly a lot of digging was done to find some of the best available material out there. The DVDs are especially noteworthy with complete concerts from two different decades, a slew of rare performances and complete promos as well. A top notch collection coming from any artist.

Frank's influence, no passing Fad.......2007-01-10

Frank Tovey was one of the most unappreciated artists of our time. He was an extremely diverse and multi-demensional arranger of sounds, and talented song writer. Martin Gore and Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode both cite Frank as an influence in their careers.
Most of the videos, and especially the live performance videos, are obviously low-budget. But this 2DVD/2CD set chronicles Frank (Fad), from his beginings, to his abrupt conclusion in the early 2000s. Whether making strange electronic pop tunes, or creating catchy folky songs, he consistently demonstrated brilliant song writing and arranging talents.
I, for one, wish the rest of the world had had the fortune of knowing this brilliant artist's work.
May he rest in peace.

Finally..........2006-10-26

This man gets the attention he deserves...sort of. I was really happy to see a box set release of various songs and videos. And everything in this set turned out amazing. So much great stuff, and I recommend it to anyone who's a fan, or even just beginning to look into Fad Gadget/Frank Tovey... However, I think I would have liked better maybe a 4 disc comprehensive set of ALL songs he has done. The 2 CDs include nice demos and fan favorites and a few others, but if this is supposed to a retrospective set, it should have included a lot more. It would have been more expensive, but I would have paid for a nice set of all his material, as its not too easy to get your hands on much else of his in stores. But back to the point, this set is AWESOME, the videos are worth the price alone! Get it!

Sir Donald Tovey: Symphony in D, Op. 32; The Bride of Dionysus - Prelude

Average customer rating:

Best "obscure composer" recording of the year!!

Sir Donald Tovey: Symphony in D, Op. 32; The Bride of Dionysus - Prelude

Manufacturer: Toccata
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Symphony No 3

ASIN: B000E3LIIG
Release Date: 2006-06-13

Tracks:

The Bride of Dionysus:PreludeSymphony in D, Op. 32
I Allegro maestoso
II Vivace ma non troppo presto
III Canzone Dorica - Adagio
IV Allegro con moto energico

Album Description

Sir Donald Francis Tovey (1875-1940) has long been known as one of the finest writers on music in English - but he saw himself primarily as a composer. His powerful and ambitious Symphony, written in 1913, has its stylistic roots in Brahms and Bruckner, and more distantly in Schumann, but Tovey was also open to contemporary developments: the harmonic procedures occasionally invoke Reger, the adventurous use of orchestral color suggests Mahler and Nielsen, and the scale - it is almost an hour in length - casts the work as a mighty cousin to Elgar's two symphonies, finished not long before. This is its first recording since Tovey himself conducted a BBC broadcast performance in 1937. The disc opens with the first recording of the gentle, noble Prelude to Tovey's only opera, The Bride of Dionysus, begun in 1907 and completed in 1918. British conductor George Vass is artistic director of the Regent Sinfonia of London. He has guest conducted frequently, including! the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, the London Mozart Players, and, as here, the Malmö Opera Orchestra (Sweden). Maestro Vass's recent recordings have received enthusiastic reviews in Gramophone and elsewhere. His album of Stephen Dodgson works was named a Gramophone Editor's Choice in March 2003 and hailed as "a landmark recording".

Customer Reviews:

Best "obscure composer" recording of the year!!.......2006-07-14

What a wonderful CD - the best I've purchased in a very long time. An exceptionally enjoyable and interesting piece of neo-romantic music, complemented by a nice performance and recording. Thorough notes, too. Sir Donald Tovey (1875-1940), a noted academic and writer _on_ music, shows here that he is also a writer _of_ music to be reckoned with. Obscure, certainly, but why I couldn't say. In my view Tovey is very much the equal of Edward Elgar or Ralph Vaughan Williams - truly an undiscovered gem. Peter Shore, a distant relative of Tovey and the instigator of the present recording, has written (on Musicweb) an interesting story about how this recording came about and was made. If you buy this Symphony recording, you'll certainly be inspired to explore upcoming Tovey recordings on the Toccata label - I'm told by the label that they have already recorded Tovey's Cello Concerto - its first recording since 1937, I believe - and will release it sometime in the Fall of 2006.

Average customer rating:

Tovey: Cello Concerto Op. 40

Manufacturer: Toccata
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000JJ3RFC
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Tracks:

Allegro moderato
Andante maestoso
Intermezzo: Andante innocente, con moto quasi allegretto
Rondo: Allegro giocoso
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Album Description

"[Neary is] a player of the highest calibre ... a player of rare gifts." - THE LONDON TIMES

After the runaway success of the first release of Tovey's Symphony in D, this second CD brings three more works--one a premiere, another a first recording since 1937. Tovey's Cello Concerto, Op. 40--almost an hour in length--was written for his friend Pablo Casals; it is joined here by the delightful Air for string orchestra, and the noble Elegiac Variations for cello and piano. Cellist Alice Neary was the winner of the 1998 Pierre Fournier Award, and was awarded major prizes in the 2001 Leonard Rose International Cello Competition.

Mackenzie: Piano Concerto No. 19 / Scottish Concerto
Average customer rating:

SECOND SUBJECTS

SINGLE MALT BRAHMS?

Tovey takes all

A Mixed Bag

Forgotten masterpieces

Mackenzie: Piano Concerto No. 19 / Scottish Concerto

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000C2BH
Release Date: 1998-09-08

Tracks:

Piano Concerto in A Major, Op 15: Energico
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Scottich Concerto, Op 55: Allegro maestoso
Scottish Concerto, Op 55: Molto lento - Alexander Campbell Mackenzie
Scottish Concerto, Op 55: Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

SECOND SUBJECTS.......2006-04-13

What Georg Szell termed `the English professorial school' of composers probably mainly signified for him, as it does for me, Bernard Shaw's triumvirate of targets Parry, Stanford and Mackenzie. If you recall, Shaw tells us how we know these were all great composers - each of them vouches for the other two. I see and hear less of Stanford these days although Parry lives on immortally through his Jerusalem, but I never heard much by Mackenzie at any stage of my life, so it is a particular pleasure to have his Scottish Concerto for piano now available on disc for the first time.

However if any of us were required to name a famous English professor of music, I suspect that the first name that would spring to our lips would be that of Donald Francis Tovey. Tovey was a pupil, or at least a disciple, of Parry, and what he is famous for is not his compositions but his commentaries on other composers' compositions. This is not how he would have wished matters to be, but it is only fair to say that his analytical essays and other writings have a unique place in the musical education of the English-speaking world for the brilliance of both their insights and their style. Inevitably, Tovey's approach has dated somewhat. Music for me at least has long since ceased to be any matter of second subjects, unexpected modulations to the submediant, codas and the other Toveyan marvels. On the other hand I was more than curious to hear how he went about conjuring up these wonders in his own works, and now here is his piano concerto, as well as Mackenzie's, making its debut on disc.

Before I say anything else, let me commend this disc earnestly and quite sincerely to all music lovers whose interest is not totally confined to established masterpieces by established masters. The pieces are well worth hearing and owning, enterprises like this deserve support, and this particular venture has been well, if not quite ideally, done. My main reservation concerns the recording, particularly in Tovey's first movement. The balance between soloist and orchestra is natural and well judged - it is no longer common to have the soloist only inches from the microphone as used to be the rule - but the piano is liable to be swamped by the full orchestra in a forte, there is a lack of ring in the treble and the effect of the full orchestra at full power is just slightly sooty. In a recording from 1978, perhaps even from 1988, this might not have bothered me, but I see this production is from 1998. By that date Hyperion could certainly do better, and as a son of Glasgow myself I hope the problem was not the acoustics at ra Caun'lriggs. Matters are certainly rather better in the other two movements, and better they remain throughout Mackenzie's concerto. This is only fair to the fine work of the soloist Steven Osborne, whom I'm sure I have heard in broadcasts and whom I could have sworn (from his photo) I had seen as a striker or an attacking midfielder somewhere in the English Premiership.

I must be candid and say that both these concertos seem second-rate to me, although there are some much more famous efforts in the genre that I would call third-rate at best. Unless the composer is Britten, I have learned to beware of British compositions that base themselves on folk music, and Mackenzie's ethnic offering reinforces this view. The work is skilfully scored, but I had only to recall Bruch's Scottish Fantasia to appreciate the difference between true and ersatz inspiration. The quality of such a work is not inherent in the style or idiom, I am convinced by Bruch, but in this case it is probably inherent in the composer. Tovey's work is very much what you might expect - the creative output of a gifted musician whose real vocation was to teach rather than to compose. It is melodious and pleasant, and thoroughly conservative. I would suggest that you ignore the predictable comparisons with Brahms, unless you are able to believe, as I and Schoenberg are not, that Brahms was some kind of conservative too; and indeed unless mild late-romantic music in general manages to sound like Brahms to you. The liner-note trots out this overworked proposition, and in general it is a very disappointing one considering that some reasonable space was for once available to the author. There is some useful background, but the remarks on the music really seem mainly solemn waffle to me, and some of the detail is slipshod as well - Tovey's concerto dates from 6 years, not 3, after Brahms's death, and Tovey did not graduate with distinction from Oxford but gained a third class on account of spending all his time on his precious music and not on the Latin and Greek that he was supposed to be studying. On the other hand Steven Osborne took the top honours at the great Royal Northern College of Music, I am grateful to him for his pioneering work in bringing these concertos into our homes, and I expect to hear great things from him in the future.

SINGLE MALT BRAHMS?.......2003-09-30

First, a question: what is not to like about this disc? Nothing that I can hear.

These concertos, one by Sir Donald Francis Tovey--an Englishman who worked extensively in Scotland, and one by Sir Alexander Campbell Mackenzie--a Scot who worked in England, may not be world beaters. They sure are wonderful all the same.

Yes, Tovey may sound a lot like Brahms at times. Is that a bad thing? For all of his Brahmsian sensibility, Tovey's concerto has a Toveyian warmth and ease that is all its own. Call it Brahms on the rocks.

Of the two works here, Mackenzie's concerto was the one that really grabbed me upon first listening. I am a fan of traditional Scottish music. It was fun to hear The Reel of Tulloch and Green Grow the Rashes in a classical setting. The Scottish Concerto has more thunder up front and more beauty in the middle than Tovey's.

Yet the Tovey concerto is the piece that I have returned to the most over time. There is a charm to this music, particularly the finale, that is very endearing.

Steven Osborne, who is himself Scottish, brings just the right touch to this disc. One minute he is racing up a mountain of virtuosity, the next he quietly meditating on the beauty of the piece.

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and their conductor Martyn Brabbins rarely fail to impress me. This is a first class outfit and a first rate conductor. They show it here.

This nineteenth installment of Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto series is very likable. Both pieces are fun, worthwhile and recorded beautifully. I recommend this disc highly.

Tovey takes all.......2003-07-24

The Mackenzie work is basically a potpourri-type concerto that uses traditional Scottish melodies and original material in a similar vein. No profundity to be found here, to be sure. But the work can certainly be enjoyed for what it is: a loosely structured, flashy romp through several tunes.
Tovey is perhaps best known for his insightful (if sometimes quirky) writings on music, but his piano concerto shows that he could apply his musical knowledge to the craft of composition (no mean feat indeed!). Written in 1903 (six years after Brahms's death), the work is the closest thing to being Brahms's third piano concerto. The spacious yet tightly structured first movement shows the influence of the first movement of Brahms's second concerto, and is filled with rich harmonic progressions, some wonderfully knotty contrapuntal passages, ingenious development of themes and motives (the way themes and motives would grow and change into one another is really quite remarkable, a tour de force of musical development), and a piano part that is rich and muscular without being needlessly showy. The slow movement is pensive without being lugubrious, and the march-like finale brings the concerto to a spirited close. I must admit I sometimes feel the finale to be something of an anti-climax, especially after the intricate first movement. Nevertheless, I'm still very fond of Tovey's concerto, and I've been listening to it everyday for weeks now without tiring of it. Yes, it is not the most "progressive" piece of music for its time, but considering the fact that it takes up the mantle of a master (Brahms) who had died only six years before, I wouldn't dismiss it as a mere anachronistic curiosity. If you are a Brahms fanatic (as I am), do consider getting this CD for Tovey's magnificent concerto. Performances and sound are both top notch.

A Mixed Bag.......2003-01-21

In Tovey's Piano Concerto, with its traces of measured, semi-heroic cadences, there's more than just a slight hint of Brahms' youthful opus 15 d minor Piano Concerto. The impression becomes more obvious as the first movement proceeds with its orchestral swells and pleasant woodwind expressions. A similar pattern emerges in the poetically reflective second movement, but Tovey is no Brahms clone. He does quite nicely on his own. Some of the strains of the last movement give the impression of a mild Mendelssohnian flavor. What develops is a rather pleasant interplay between piano and orchestra. A lyrical tunefulness continues to the end.

Alexander Mackenzie's Scottish Concerto begins with an impressive horn call. What follows for piano and orchestra sounds like a dramatic movie soundtrack theme. Soon, things begin to sound episodic and more theatrical, and start to border on aimlessness. The second movement continues uneventfully. I find it increasingly difficult to hold my interest here. Some catchy, tuneful bits surface in the last movement, but, for the most part, the impresssion of insipidness returns. Sorry, but not for me. In conclusion, however, I do like the Tovey Concerto and plan to return to it for enjoyment. The grooves on the Mackenzie will more than likely remain relatively new. I have no quibble with the performers in these works. Hyperion offers, as usual, very fine sound reproduction.

Forgotten masterpieces.......2002-08-17

Amazingly, this is the first recording of either of these concertos, which are far too original to be considered historical curiosities. Tovey is probably best known for his critical writings and editions of music, but was also a master composer as evidenced by this concerto written just in his 20s. Though the sleeve notes claim it strongly resembles Brahms, I think Tovey finds his own voice quite well here. None of the movements is extremely grave or serious on the surface, but the first reaches great climaxes with waves of orchestral sound and keyboard passages blending together in a nearly impressionistic way. The second is a reflective and sober slow movement, while the third is a catchy march with many contrapuntal sections. Mackenzie's Scottish Concerto is quite identifiable as such, since each movement is based around a traditional Scottish melody. Each movement evolves directly from the melody in quite an interesting way. The dramatic first movement leads into a warm slow movement and a very exciting finale.

While obviously written by different composers with different intentions, the two concertos do show some similarities and complement each other very well. The superb performances by soloist and orchestra, plus great sound, combine to make this one of my favorite CDs in my whole collection. Let's hope that these two concertos by two composers with flawless musical sensibilities are heard as much as they deserve to be in the future.

Snakes & Ladders
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Snakes & Ladders

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