London Philharmonic Orchestra – Alto CD

Brahms Piano Concertos Nos.1 and 2*

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:47:04 +0000

“These present an even more formidable achievement …readings that are strong and positive as well as thoughtful … [No.1] “crisp, lifted rhythms and a raptness to compare with Barenboim and Arrau, hold one’s attention as a live performance would” [No.2] “That sense of spontaneity is similarly conveyed in the performance of the Second Concerto … formidable technique and warm, positive temperament …Tirimo is far from reticent as a soloist. He gives a commanding account” (both: Edward Greenfield / Gramophone & both 3 stars Penguin Guide) [2nd] “takes its place among three or four best versions of this much-recorded work” (High Fidelity, USA)

Disc 1: [55:14]

Brahms Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.15

[1] Maestoso 25:14

[2] Adagio 16:26

[3] Rondo (allegro non troppo) 13:27

Recorded April 1980; Producer: Barry McCann; Engineer: Mike Clements

Disc 2: [49:30]

Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat Op.83*

[1] Allegro non troppo 18:08

[2] Allegro 8:48

[3] Andante 13:14

[4] Allegro grazioso 9:16

Recorded August 1974; Producer & Engineer: Brian Culverhouse

Gustav Holst: Hymn of Jesus; Egdon Heath; Perfect Fool (Ballet) Toccata for Piano

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:05 +0000

“(Hymn) a fine and vital performance that vividly conveys the exultant and the mystical nature … Egdon Heath is unforgettable: often frightening and desolate, here and there calm and serene, but never sun-lit. Holst did indeed find in Hardy’s description a map of his soul … I cannot imagine a better performance than this one” (Folksongs) “all these settings are beautiful and are sung with warm tone and blend. The collection ends with the finest song of all, This have I done for my true love, an original piece that ranks with any short unaccompanied choral work by any composer. The recording … is first-rate” (Gramophone)

1. The Hymn of Jesus Op.37 (BBC Symphony & Chorus) 21:15
2. Perfect Fool Op.39 (London Philharmonic Orchestra) 10:31
3. Egdon Heath Op.47 (London Philharmonic Orchestra) 12:33
4. Toccata: Newburn Lads (Keith Swallow, piano) 2:51

BBC Northern Singers conducted by Stephen Wilkinson
English Folk Songs from Op.36:

5. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John 2:17
6. I Sowed the Seeds of Love 2:23
7. I Love My Love 3:55

Welsh Folk Songs:

8. The Lively Pair 0:58
9. Lisa Lan 3:28
10. My Sweetheart’s Like Venus 1:34
11. Adar Man y Mynydd 2:42
12. Lliw Gwyn Rhosyn yr Haf 1:08
13. The First Love 1:13
14. Green Grass 0:49
15. Awake Awake 2:48
16. The Dove 2:01
17. O ’twas on a Monday Morning 1:47
18.This Have I Done for My True Love 4:48
(Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day)

Britten: Piano & Violin Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:12 +0000

“with good well-balanced recording Servadei gives a strong dedicated muscular performance…..particularly impressive in the hushed and sustained passacaglia, entitled Impromptu (3rd mvt) which provided Walton with the theme for his Variations on a theme of Benjamin Britten.” “(Azizian) His is a superb technique, marked by flawless intonation and a wide tonal range. …in the Britten he adopts a manner at once lighter in the quicksilver bravura passages and more intimate and poetic in the lyrical writing, ending in a deeply felt account of the closing pages, one of Britten’s deepest inspirations” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.15 (1939, revised 1950)

[1] Moderato con moto 9:17
[2] Vivace 8:23
[3] Passacaglia: Andante lento 13:59

Piano Concerto D major, Op.13 (1938, revised 1945)

[4] Toccata (Allegro molto e con brio) 13:32
[5] Waltz (Allegretto) 5:21
[6] Impromptu (Andante lento) 9:18
[7] March (Allegro moderato – sempre alla marcia) 8:58

Edward MacDowell – Piano Concertos Nos.1 & 2

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:35:49 +0000

“[Piano Concerto No.2 is] fresh and tuneful, redolent of Mendelssohn and Saint-Saëns. Donna Amato’s scintillating performance is entirely winning, and she is equally persuasive in the a minor Concerto. This music needs polish and elegance as well as fire and Paul Freeman’s accompaniments supply all three. … [The recording] has an agreeable ambient warmth. Highly rewarding coupling in all respects.” – Penguin Guide

Alto is pleased to return to general availability one of the most sought-after recordings of American Romantic music: Donna Amato’s remarkable interpretation of the two Piano Concertos of Edward MacDowell. Originally released by Olyumpia records, this acclaimed rogram has been expanded with newly recorded secetions from MacDowell’s evocative miniatures for solo piano, the New England Idyls.

Edward MacDowell
Piano Concerto No.1 in a minor, Op.15

[1] Maestoso – Allegro con fuoco 11:02
[2] Andante tranquillo 7:35
[3] Presto 7:26

Piano Concerto No.2 in d minor, Op.23

[4] Larghetto calmato – Poco piu mosso e con passione 14:17
[5] Presto giocoso 5:18
[6] Largo – Molto allegro 8:13

New England Idyls

[7] To a Wild Rose 1:29
[8] An Old Garden 2:03
[9] Midsummer 1:36
[10] Midwinter 2:41
[11] With Sweet Lavender 1:39
[12] In Deep Woods 1:57
[13] Indian Idyl 1:49
[14] To an Old White Pine 1:43
[15] From Puritan Days 1:35
[16] From a Log Cabin 2:21
[17] The Joy of Autumn 2:30

Concertos recorded All Saint’s Tooting, London, 1985
Producer: Antony Hodgson
Engineer: Bob Auger
Original issue: Olympia OCD 353
Sponsored by Pianists Foundation of America

Solo Music recorded Kresge Recital Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, July 11, 2007
Engineer: Harold Walls
Piano technician: Peter Stumpf
Editing, Mastering: Chris Rice
Thanks to Carnegie Mellon University’s Administration for their support.