MELCER : Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 (Jonathan Plowright · BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra · Christoph König) (2008) Serie The Romantic Piano Concerto – 44 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Hyperion’s celebrated Romantic Piano Concerto series reaches volume 44. This disc includes two prize-winning concertos written in the 1890s by the Polish composer-pianist Henryk Melcer.

The first is written in the style of Liszt and Chopin, and is notable particularly for its thrilling finale which is marked by its strong Polish character: starting as a mazurka, the accelerando through the movement increases the excitement of the piece, giving it the frenzy of a kujawiak or oberek.

The second concerto was also appreciated by contemporary critics for its imaginative use of Polish themes: one reviewer writes of ‘themes full of expression in Polish character that are developed so splendidly and broadly that they leave us enraptured … an unforgettable impression remains after hearing the Concerto’. This work demands particular technical virtuosity, versatility and stamina on the part of the pianist, who is playing almost continuously. Hyperion

Henryk Melcer-Szczawinski (1869-1928)

Piano Concerto No 1 In E Minor    (28:59)

Piano Concerto No 2 In C Minor    (37:27)

Credits :
Conductor – Christoph König
Leader – Elizabeth Layton
Orchestra – BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Piano – Jonathan Plowright