Piano Concerto / Variations on a Nursery Song

On this CD:

1. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
Composed by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Jorge Luis Prats
Conducted by Enrique Batiz

2. Variations on a Nursery Song for piano and orchestra, Op 25
Composed by Ernst von Dohnanyi
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Jorge Luis Prats
Conducted by Enrique Batiz

3. Concerto Symphonique for piano & orchestra No. 4 in D Minor, Op 102 Scherzo (Presto)
Composed by Henry Litolff
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Jorge Luis Prats
Conducted by Enrique Batiz

Tracks:

Suite, Op. 19, In F Sharp Minor: I. Andante con variazioni
Suite, Op. 19, In F Sharp Minor: II. Scherzo: Allegretto vivace
Suite, Op. 19, In F Sharp Minor: III. Romance: Andante poco moto
Suite, Op. 19, In F Sharp Minor: IV. Rondo: Allegro vivace
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Introduction - Theme
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation I
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation II: Risoluto
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation III
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation IV
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation V
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation VI
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation VII: Walzer
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation VIII: Alla marcia
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation IX: Presto
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation X: Passacaglia
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Variation XI: Choral
Variations On A Nursery Theme, Op. 25, For Piano And Orchestra: Finale fugato
The Veil Of Pierrette, Op. 18: I. Pierrot's Love-Lament
The Veil Of Pierrette, Op. 18: II. Waltz-rondo
The Veil Of Pierrette, Op. 18: III. Merry Funeral March
The Veil Of Pierrette, Op. 18: IV. Wedding Waltz

Amazon.com

Ernst von Dohnányi (1877-1960) produced only a small catalogue of works during his lifetime and for much of that time, as a concert pianist, he was largely regarded as the successor to Franz Liszt--he was that good. These works are in the tradition of late-19th-century European romanticism, but they have their own rich character. Dohnányi's compositional forte is the theme and variations. The three works on this disc are exemplary in this regard, especially the exuberant Suite in F Sharp Minor. His exposure to Liszt also had the benefit of appreciating the piano's playful side, as in the Variations on a Nursery Theme--the nursery theme here being "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". Matthias Bamert and the BBC Philharmonic are in superb form here (with Howard Shelley on piano). A typical--and topically very good--Chandos release. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

All-around great performances.......2007-07-10

Beginning with the rarest item on this CD, the Pierrette's Veil ballet suite is a world premiere -- except for the final Waltz, which is also available on a Mercury CD with Antal Dorati and the Philharmonia Hungarica. The Waltz movement is memorable, but the rest of the score is just okay. The Suite in F# used to be more popular on orchestra concerts "back in the day" -- I even own an old 78 rpm victor album set dating from the early 1930s. In the early stereo era, the Sir Malcolm Sargent/Royal Philharmonic and Milton Katims/Seattle Symphony versions were the ones to have. This performance is vital and exciting -- tempos are swift and things never have time to lag. The solo passages, of which there are many in this piece, are of virtuoso quality.

Most classical music buffs will be at least a bit familiar with the Nursery Tune Variations (and absolutely everyone will be familiar with the "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" theme). To my mind, Messrs. Shelley and Bamert make their performance the best version available on disk today (although it's hard to beat the classic Julius Katchen/Sir Adrian Boult/LPO recording on London/Decca that dates back to the early days of stereo). Pianist Shelley makes everything sound so fresh and alive, and the orchestral accompaniment by Bamert and the BBC players is sympathetic and spot-on.

This is quite an enjoyable disk of some very pleasant, engaging music -- you will not be disappointed.

Fabulous post-romantic -- with spice!.......1999-12-14

The Variations on a Nursery Theme are well known, the Suite in F# minor and Veil of Pierrette much less so. Hopefully this recording will set things to right and we shall here these pieces performed in concert more often.

If you have a taste for post-romantic music, you must listen to this; all the sumptuous orchestration of Richard Strauss and Franz Schmidt but with a distinctly middle-European flavour and wonderful sense of self-irony.

Tracks:

Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25
Capriccio In F Minor
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B- Flat Minor, Op. 23: I. Allergro non troppo e molto maestroso
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B- Flat Minor, Op. 23: II. Andantino semplice
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B- Flat Minor, Op. 23: III. Allegro con fuoco

Average customer rating:

Composers in Person: Bartók & Dohnányi

Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2

Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DOG7
Release Date: 1994-04-12

Janácek: Chamber Music & Orchestral Works

Average customer rating:

Janácek: Chamber Music & Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Shostakovich: Concertos; Orchestral Suites; Chamber Symphonies
Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen
Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne
Ives: Holidays Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies - Arturo Toscanini / NBC Symphony Orchestra

ASIN: B0001Y4JH0
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Average customer rating:

Regrettably , This Is Not His Best

Piano Masters: Ernö Dohnányi

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000604S
Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

Concerto In G For Piano And Orchestra K453: Allegro
Concerto In G For Piano And Orchestra K453: Andante
Concerto In G For Piano And Orchestra K453: Allegretto
Variations On A Nursery Theme (Op.25)
Die Fledermaus, Du und Du Waltz
Die Zigeunerbaron, Schatz-Waltz
Ruralia Hungarica: Suite. 2nd Movement, Gypsy andante

Customer Reviews:

Regrettably , This Is Not His Best.......2003-03-10

In his prime Dohnanyi was almost at the top of the world being hailed as the best Hungarian pianist since Liszt. He even compared favourably with Paderewski, the other world famous pianist then. Thereafter he was right at the top of the musical scene in Hungary being a composer/conductor and director of the national radio who at the same time also headed the Budapest Conservatoire all for a such long time that music and piano had virtually become his mother tongue.

Rachmaninoff had also been driving a three horse chariot (composer/conductor/painist), but Dohnanyi had done it for a much longer time. And Dohnanyi had undergone more sufferings and humiliation including the death of his own son. In comparion Rachmaninoff was just a nostalgic exile in essence.

It was Dohnanyi who championed Bartok. And his pupils included Sir George Solti, Geza Anda, Cziffra, Annie Fischer, Kilenyi... and his grandson is now a famous conductor too. Even as a composer, he is underrated even though his works regularly appear in modern reportoire. Perhaps it's time to put aside the politics...

No less impressing would be Dohnanyi at the piano recorded in the US universities after all those upheavals and turmoils when he finally settled as a teacher. Sauer once remarked of Liszt: he struck a cord so sad like nobody else, that it ran right through your heart... Much the same could be said of Dohnanyi's playing, be it Mozart or otherwise.

He was literally a piano wizard with music right inside his pocket: he could dismantle a piece into tiny little parts and then breathe life into it so that it's a whole again right in front of your eyes with such grace and elegance that left you stunned. To him each note, each line, each rubato or each pause all had a life and meaning to it and yet he was never showy nor erudite. His playing is well behind the notes/scores but never far away. He had captivated the art as well as the mysteries of everything about music. Obviously Glenn Gould hadn't heard him when he said structurally Mozart is impossible.

Tracks:

Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 1. Butterfly
Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 2. Solitary Traveller
Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 3. In My Native Country
Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 4. Little Bird
Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 5. Erotikon
Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 6. To The Spring
Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 1. Stick Dance
Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 2. Sash Dance
Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 3. In One Spot (Stamping Dance)
Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 4. Horn Dance
Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 5. Roumanian Polka
Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 6. Fast Dance
Les jeux d'eaux a la Villa d'Este
Deux Arabesques: 1. Andantino con moto
Deux Arabesques: 2. Allegretto scherzando
D'un cahier d'esquisses
Suite Bergamasque: 1. Prelude
Suite Bergamasque: 2. Menuet
Suite Bergamasque: 3. Clair de lune
Suite Bergamasque: 4. Passepied
L'isle joyeuse
Estampes: 1. Pagodes
Estampes: 2. Soiree dans Grenade
Estampes: 3. Jardins sous la pluie

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op. 40: 1. Allegro vivace. Alla breve
Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op. 40: 2. Largo
Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op. 40: 3. Allegro vivace
Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
Fantasy For Piano And Orchestra: 1. Andante ma non troppo - Allegro giusto
Fantasy For Piano And Orchestra: 2. Lento e molto espressivo
Fantasy For Piano And Orchestra: 3. Allegro molto
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Introduzione. Maestoso
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Tema. Allegro
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 1: Poco piu mosso
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 2: Risoluto
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 3
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 4: Molto meno mosso. Allegretto moderato
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 5: Piu mosso
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 6: Ancora piu mosso. Allegro
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 7: Walzer. Tempo giusto
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 8: Alla marcia. Allegro moderato
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 9: Presto - Andante rubato
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 10: Passacaglia. Adagio non troppo
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var. 11: Choral. Maestoso
Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Finale Fugato. Allegro vivace - Tempo del tema - Molto allegro

Customer Reviews:

excellent .......2006-03-18

There are many big names in this collection and many of them very well known. I think -maybe I am wrong- Kocsis is not in the rank of most famous artists. But one must confess that he is an extraordinary pianist. Every piece in the first cd, Grieg, Debussy, Liszt and Bartok is wonderful. Especially, his Debussy is great. He deserved to known much better. But, does it matter? Ofcourse not.
Desert island disc!

excellent .......2006-03-18

Incredible precision and playfulness.......2002-08-04

Zoltan Kocsis is not the world's most popular pianist but after hearing this compilation you might wish you had heard about him earlier. Kocsis is able to deliver precise and convincing renditions of these pieces that are fluid and heartfelt. Grieg's Lyric Pieces are played with clarity yet each one has a distinct character. Debussy's Suite Bergamasque is one of Kocsis' staples and performed beautifully here. Much of the music here has a playful and or light-hearted nature and Kocsis is able to make this come through without making the music sound superficial. He succeeds wonderfully in this regard on the Liszt work, Debussy's Second Arabesque, Bartok's Roumanian Folk Dances and Dohnanyi's Variations. Though playful and fun, what really makes these works sparkle is Kocsis' rhythmic and technical precision, especially when he performs with the orchestral accompaniment.

This is an incredible collection of music, all played spectacularly well. You will be awed as his technique and heartfelt interpretations. Another rare treasure here is Debussy's Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, a work that should be better known but isn't, simply because it doesn't treat the piano as a solo instrument. In this work and in the Dohnanyi, the orchestral accompaniment provided by the orchestra with Ivan Fischer conducting is also top notch, and especially nice playing from the brass and winds. Maestro Fisher is able to stick to Kocsis like glue through all the twists of Dohnanyi's Variations. I wish there were more Hungarian music here (Bartok, for instance) because that is really Kocsis' specialty. Buy this 2CD volume and then look for more Kocsis Bartok recordings elsewhere. Five stars.

A delight.......2000-08-20

This double record by Mr. Kocsis shows the incredible ability and soul that he is able to achieve.

The performances of Debussy are among the best available, and you get the Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, not a common recorded work.

The piano concerto 4 of Rachmaninoff is interesting, but other version are more romantic, better for my taste.

On Dohnanyi, it is a pleasure the lightness of the play, and kids should love this work, not very common performed.

Tracks:

Pno Con No.1 Op.1: 1st Movt-Vivace
Pno Con No.1 Op.1: 2nd Movt-Andante
Pno Con No.1 Op.1: 3rd Movt-Allegro Vivace
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Intro-Maestoso
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Tema-Allegro
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var I. Poco Piu Mosso
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var II. Risoluto
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var III.
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var IV. Molto Meno Mosso (Allegretto Moderato)
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var V. Piu Mosso
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var VI. Ancora Piu Mosso (Allegro)
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var VII. Walzer, Tempo Giusto
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var VIII. Alla Marcia, Allegro Moderato
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var IX. Presto
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var X. Passacaglia, Adagio Non Troppo
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Var XI. Choral, Maestoso
Vars On A Nursery Song, Op.25: Finale Fugato-Allegro Vivace, Tempo Del Tema
Scherzo

Rachmanonoff: Rhapsody,Op.43/Piano Concerto,Op.18/Dohnányi: Variations,Op.25

Average customer rating:

Rachmanonoff: Rhapsody,Op.43/Piano Concerto,Op.18/Dohnányi: Variations,Op.25

Manufacturer: Dutton Laboratories
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto / Katchen, Dohnányi

Average customer rating:

A glimps of heaven
The entire concerto is heavenly!
Adagio heaven

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto / Katchen, Dohnányi

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000042E4
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 2: I. Moderato
Piano Concerto No. 2: II. Adagio sostenuto
Piano Concerto No. 2: III. Allegro scherzando
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini
Variations On A Nursery Theme

Customer Reviews:

A glimps of heaven.......2002-08-16

I have heard various interpretations of this piece, but nothing compares to this one as interpreted by Sir Georg Solti and the perfect piano by Julius Katchen. I disgree with anyone who says that the first movement is to fast. When I first heard this piece, I can only compare it to getting a glimps of heaven. This is the most stirring and moving music I've ever heard. The images conjured up in the mind with a intense listening will bring you to tears. I am now on my second recording of this as my tape is now worn out. Even the great Andre Preven Doesnt compare with whats on this recording and he is one of my favorites. Sit back, relax turn it up and let it take you to heaven. All in all, a master piece.

The entire concerto is heavenly!.......2000-08-17

I disagree with the previous reviewer when he says that Julius Katchen takes the first movement too fast. The passionate way in which he plays could make you think it is fast. And the orchestra is also up to the romantic task. As a bonus, the listener gets one of the top recordings ever, a jewel of the golden era of stereo by the great Kenneth Wilkinson, superbly reissued by Chesky Records. The famous Earl Wild/Horenstein version on Chesky (another KW recording, by the way) is not as good either as a performance or as a recording.

Adagio heaven.......2000-03-06

Katchen takes the first movement too fast. On repeated listenings this isn't as bothersome, but I'd still prefer the allegro to be played a little slower. However, this minor failing can be forgiven when one hears the marvelous second movement! Actually after listening to the first movement, I was a little wary of what to expect. Would Katchen again take the express route, or would he slow everything down to a crawl to achieve some kind of temporal balance? Well, my misgivings turned out to be totally unwarranted. This Adagio is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful on record and beats out nearly all comers for tempo (exactly right in my opinion) and sheer beauty. There are a lot of alternatives of this popular work, but this performance ranks up there with the best.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

Recommended Music:

Psychobilly Sampler, Vol. 2

The Spirite of Musicke

The Road Less Traveled

Music: Trent Summar and the New Row Mob

Porn Shoes/Gabriel in the Airport [CD-single] [Import]

Urban Folksongs

Ultimate [Import]

Vivaldi: Gloria in D; Magnificat in Gm

Uncle Wonderful [Import]

Very Saxy

When Broken Is Easily Fixed

Urban Playground

Tribute Al Amor

Somebody Im Supposed to Be

Note 'n Notes