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Track Listings
| 1. Allegro Patetico |
| 2. Intermezzo. Allegretto Molto Tranquillo |
| 3. Lento, Mesto |
| 4. Allegro Con Fuoco |
| 5. Allegro Patetico |
| 6. Scherzo. Molto Vivace - Andante Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto - Tempo I |
| 7. Cavatina. Larghetto Amoroso |
| 8. Rondo. Tempo Giusto |
Product Description
Review
GRAMOPHONE RECORDING OF THE YEAR 1996 'Here, surely, is the jewel in the crown of Hyperion's absorbing series ... A flawless marriage of composer, performance, recording and presentation ... For here is a scintillating wit and ebullience that will make lesser technicians and stylists weep with envy ... As magisterial as it is ear ... tickling and affectionate, his playing glows with warmth...and pulses with the most nonchalant glitter in the finale ... [Sauer] Throughout, haunting melodies are embroidered with the finest pianistic tracery and, once again, the performance is bewitching ... [Sauer Cavatina] Hough s caressing, fine ... spun tone and long ... breathed phrasing are a model for singers as well as pianists. --Gramophone
CLASSIC CD AWARD WINNER CLASSIC CD 100 GREATEST DISCS OF THE DECADE 'A glitteringly worthy addition to the Hyperion series ... Stephen Hough exhibits dazzling flair in showpiece concertos by Sauer and Scharwenka and plenty of stamina ... Hough plays throughout with exhilarating momentum and dazzling technical address. I doubt whether any CD has so many double octave passages as this, but he never wearies, and his response to both works is as many-sided as the music itself ... Not to be missed, on any account --Classic CD
CLASSIC CD AWARD WINNER CLASSIC CD 100 GREATEST DISCS OF THE DECADE 'A glitteringly worthy addition to the Hyperion series ... Stephen Hough exhibits dazzling flair in showpiece concertos by Sauer and Scharwenka and plenty of stamina ... Hough plays throughout with exhilarating momentum and dazzling technical address. I doubt whether any CD has so many double octave passages as this, but he never wearies, and his response to both works is as many-sided as the music itself ... Not to be missed, on any account --Classic CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
These two concertos aren't played nearly enough. The slow movements of both, but especially that by Von Sauer, are quite heart-rendingly beautiful, and literally stop listeners in their tracks. It took me a long time to find the recording in the shops and when a friendly and helpful proprieter took the time to search his catalogues for me he admitted he didn't know the pieces, but his eyes were opened when he put the CD on for me. He couldn't believe he hadn't listened to it before. Stephen Hough has an afinity with the piano that is to my mind unique, and he makes the changes from majestic to lyrical to tear-jerking and finally almost comically joyful. His technique is faultless and this has to be, without doubt, my favourite CD of all time.
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Before this CD was produced in 1994 Scharwenka and Sauer were two names unheard of by most Classical music fans. Despite the awards this CD gained, and recordings of other works by them since they remain largely unknown. On the strength of these two works they deserve a wider hearing, and these two concertos deserve to be played in our major concert halls.
Both composers were hailed as composer pianists in their lifetimes. Scharwenka's Concerto No 4 from 1910 is the more innovative. At 40 minutes long with an 18 minute first movement it is a big beast.The virtuosity displayed ranks with the best of Rachmaninov, whilst in style the music is more adventurous, rather as with early Prokofiev there is the sound of late romantic music being pulled in new directions: sometimes verging on the early modern, sometimes with the innovative rhythms sounding almost like symphonic jazz 20 years before its time.
At half an hour long Sauer's Concerto No 1 of 1902 is a substantial piece as well. It is less showy, but what it lacks for in musical fireworks it makes up for in its beautiful sense of melody and harmony. The way in which piano and orchestra augment each other is a joy to listen to.
As to the performances, they are of a very high calibre. Honours must go to pianist Stephen Hough. Such is the ease with which he plays even the most difficult passages that the danger is to let them roll over you and think `well, that's very nice' without appreciating the level of skill being demonstrated. The sound complements the music well.
The notes are excellent, giving good information on the two composers.
All in all a five star discovery.
Both composers were hailed as composer pianists in their lifetimes. Scharwenka's Concerto No 4 from 1910 is the more innovative. At 40 minutes long with an 18 minute first movement it is a big beast.The virtuosity displayed ranks with the best of Rachmaninov, whilst in style the music is more adventurous, rather as with early Prokofiev there is the sound of late romantic music being pulled in new directions: sometimes verging on the early modern, sometimes with the innovative rhythms sounding almost like symphonic jazz 20 years before its time.
At half an hour long Sauer's Concerto No 1 of 1902 is a substantial piece as well. It is less showy, but what it lacks for in musical fireworks it makes up for in its beautiful sense of melody and harmony. The way in which piano and orchestra augment each other is a joy to listen to.
As to the performances, they are of a very high calibre. Honours must go to pianist Stephen Hough. Such is the ease with which he plays even the most difficult passages that the danger is to let them roll over you and think `well, that's very nice' without appreciating the level of skill being demonstrated. The sound complements the music well.
The notes are excellent, giving good information on the two composers.
All in all a five star discovery.
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this CD knowing neither of the concertos, but having in my collection many from the Hyperion series. Scharwenka's Piano Concerto No. 4 was a revelation; it is the stronger of the two works - more coherent, more exciting. The Sauer is a good piece though, sadly neglected. The 4th is also the best of Scharwenka's four concertos (I bought the other three within days of discovering No.4). Following that discovery, I listened to nothing else for ten days. The final movement of the 4th Concerto is one of the most exciting concerto finales I've heard in years, and Hough's playing is stupendous. This is a finale to rank with the best of Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Moszkowsi; the syncopated rhythms will have your feet tapping and you wondering how on earth Hough can get his hands round it. The disc won prizes - rightly so. If you discover one new piece this year, and you are fond of Romantic Piano Concertos, then buy this one - it is an absolute joy!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's not too often that you hear a piece of music and rush to order it. I've not heard of Scharenka or Sauer, the latter being the composer I had heard on the radio. The third movement of his piano no.1 is stunningly beautiful. You can hear a tiny bit of Mahler, and more modern day composer, Ennio Morricone who also writes lovely piano music. The whole C.D. is without doubt the loveliest and best surprise I've had for years. Well done Hyperion. This is the second of the Romantic Piano Concerto series that I've bought, just 47 to go !
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first heard the slow movement of the Sauer concerto on Classic FM and thought it was one of the most beautiful I had ever heard. I simply had to have this CD.
I often find that when I buy the CD, the only track I like is the one I heard on the radio. Not so here, the whole CD is an absolute delight. Stephen Hough's playing more than does each work justice, it's difficult to image anyone playing them better. The recordings are also excellent, as you might expect from Hyperion. If like me you enjoy Rachmaninov, I'm sure you will enjoy both these concertos.
This is a magical find, one that will give me pleasure for years to come, a worthy addition to my collection. I wholeheartidly reccommend this wonderful CD.
I often find that when I buy the CD, the only track I like is the one I heard on the radio. Not so here, the whole CD is an absolute delight. Stephen Hough's playing more than does each work justice, it's difficult to image anyone playing them better. The recordings are also excellent, as you might expect from Hyperion. If like me you enjoy Rachmaninov, I'm sure you will enjoy both these concertos.
This is a magical find, one that will give me pleasure for years to come, a worthy addition to my collection. I wholeheartidly reccommend this wonderful CD.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having read previous reviews I was looking forward to hearing the Scharwenka concerto. I was disappointed. I found it had little to enthuse over. The Sauer on the other hand is a treasure. In my opinion the slow movement ranks amongst the greats of the genre. Stephen Hough is brilliant as always.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By LondonMaryR
Format:Audio CD
I heard Scharwenka's Piano Concerto No. 4 in F Minor by accident on the radio. I had never heard of Scharwenka before nor this piece of music. It is delightful - light, uplifting and different to anything else I had heard before. A definite one to recommend!
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