BARTÓK · LUTOSLAWSKI : Concerto for Orchestra (Tadaaki Otaka · Witold Lutosławski) (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

WITOLD LUTOSLAWSKI : Symphony No. 3 • Chantefleurs et Chantefables (BBC National Orchestra Of Wales · Tadaaki Otaka · Valdine Anderson) (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Hearing Witold Lutoslawski's Third Symphony for the first time, one cannot help but say "Yes. This is exactly how a postwar symphony should sound." Begun in 1972 and finished after several interruptions in 1983, the work is a four-movement-in-one symphony of tremendous cogency, incredible power, and overwhelming intensity. From its magnificent opening brass and tympani tattoo across its mighty orchestral peaks and valleys to its final glittering climax, Lutoslawski's Third is consistently impressive, always surprising, and wholly compelling. In this fantastic 1995 recording with Tadaaki Otaka leading the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Third sounds every bit as fine a work as it is. The Welsh orchestra plays with complete dedication and Otaka seems far beneath the skin of the music. Coupled with the world-premiere recording of Lutoslawski's beguiling song cycle Chantefleurs et Chantefables sung by Canadian soprano Valdine Anderson and accompanied by Otaka and the Welsh musicians, this disc deserves to be heard by every fan of postwar orchestral music, especially in BIS' crisp, deep, and very detailed sound. James Leonard  

WITOLD LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994)

Symphony No. 3    (34:31)
Chantefleurs Et Chantefables (18:59)
Soprano Vocals – Valdine Anderson
Text By – Robert Desnos

Conductor – Tadaaki Otaka
Leader – David Nolan
Orchestra – BBC National Orchestra Of Wales

WIDOR : Piano Concertos No. 1 & 2 • Fantaisie, Op 62 (Markus Becker · BBC National Orchestra Of Wales · Thierry Fischer) (2011) Serie The Romantic Piano Concerto – 55 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Charles-Marie Widor was born in Lyon to a family of organ builders and consequently became an organist of great skill and an assistant to Camille Saint-Saëns at La Madeleine in Paris at the age of twenty-four.

Today, Widor’s compositions for organ have a prominent position in the instrument’s core repertoire, but it is often forgotten that the composer wrote many other significant works, notably his two piano concertos. Surprisingly, these are the first recordings of the concertos and are a much-awaited addition to the numerous world premiere recordings featured in Hyperion’s Romantic Piano Concerto series, now reaching its 55th volume and still unearthing little-known works to consistently dazzling effect.

Following the success of his renditions of the Draeseke and Jadassohn concertos, pianist Markus Becker makes a welcome return to the series. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the remarkable Thierry Fischer more than do justice to Widor’s imaginative orchestrations. Hyperion
Tracklist :
Piano Concerto No 1 In F Minor Op 39 (1876)    (29:47)
Composed By – Charles-Marie Widor

Piano Concerto No 2 In C Minor Op 77 (1905)    (19:28)
Composed By – Charles-Marie Widor
Credits :
Conductor – Thierry Fischer
Leader – Lesley Hatfield
Orchestra – BBC National Orchestra Of Wales
Piano [Steinway & Sons] – Markus Becker

OSWALD : Piano Concerto In G Minor, Op 10 ♦ NAPOLEÃO : Piano Concerto In E Flat Minor, Op 31 (Artur Pizarro · BBC National Orchestra Of Wales · Martyn Brabbins) (2014) Serie | The Romantic Piano Concerto – 64 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

More than five dozen strong and counting, Hyperion's series devoted to the Romantic piano concerto continues to recover absolutely unknown music. Here are a pair of pianist-composers, both successful performers in their own time; Henrique Oswald was born in Brazil, while Alfredo Napoleão was a Portuguese who spent considerable time there, and they would likely have known each other's music. At least outside of Brazil, the country's concert music of the late 19th century is represented mostly by Ernesto Nazareth, whose dance pieces occupied a position in musical life somewhat similar to that of Scott Joplin in the U.S. Most concert music at the time would have followed European models, with no national Brazilian influence. So it is here: much of Oswald's music apparently follows French influences, but the ambitious opening movement of the Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 10, is in the Tchaikovsky mold, with sweeping melodies that seem to burst the bounds of the piano-orchestra interaction. The highlight of the whole album is that concerto's slow movement, which uses the piano in a unique way to chromatically embroider a big, sentimental melody. The tarantella finale is not on the same level. Napoleão's concerto is even more grandiose, with a nearly 20-minute opening slow movement that holds up structurally, and a fast scherzo and finale. Either one of these pieces could be added to a symphonic piano concerto program with profitable results, and Portuguese American pianist Artur Pizarro brings the desired virtuoso flair, with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Martyn Brabbins staying out of his way as needed. Recommended for anyone interested in Brazilian music. James Manheim  
Tracklist :
Piano Concerto In G Minor Op 10    (30:10)
Henrique Oswald

Piano Concerto No 2 In E Flat Minor Op 31    (36:59)
Alfredo Napoleão
Credits :
Conductor – Martyn Brabbins
Leader – Nick Whiting
Orchestra – BBC National Orchestra Of Wales
Piano [Steinway & Sons] – Artur Pizarro