The Romantic Piano Concerto Vol. 40 - Herz: Piano Concertos Nos. 3-5

Sparkling Performances

Henri Herz, along with Kalkbrenner and Mosceles, was a spectacular virtuoso and composer who dazzled audiences during the early and mid-19th century. Often lampooned by Schumann and Mendelssohn was dubious but Herz gave his audiences what they wanted and was the highest paid pianist for many years. He was the first pianist to travel to the United States (where he made a fortune) where he gave concerts all over the young country, including Mexico and the West Indies. The concertos are a marvelous blending of orchestra and piano. It is always remarked that Chopin had no gift for orchestration in his piano concerti but Herz created a marvelous blending of orchestra and soloist; the pianist is still the star but his orchestration is beautifully conceived.

The concertos recorded on this disc show Herz at his peak; they are pure elegance and, as pointed out in the notes, the music may sound like a mixture of the leading pianists of the day it is pure Herz; the melodies and the dexterity demanded of the soloist belong to no one else. The Third Concerto was written to wow the English in 1835 and has a lovely lullaby melody in the second movement that is followed by an amazing finale that sounds operatic and even has a March theme played by the orchestra. The Fourth Concerto dates from 1843 and has some brilliant fireworks demand from the soloist. The first movement is characterized by brilliant melodies and the slow movement is played without pause with a cadenza serving as a bridge; it has a hauntingly lovely melody that is interrupted by some surging scales played by the soloist before settling down to a tranquil ending. The finale is a Russian Rondo with an infectious dance melody. The Fifth Concerto come from 1854 and is as elegant and dazzling as its predecessors and is characterized by fiery melodies and a serene middle movement but for the last bars where Herz add a bang. The finale is a lively rondo with the kind of brilliant passage work one has come to except from Henri Herz.

Howard Shelly is marvelous in his dual role of pianist and conductor and is beautifully supported by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. The Hyperion recording is first rate. This is a very satisfying disc that I found pleasurable from the first hearing.


November 6, 2006

Excellent in all aspects

Fast delivery and excellent condition at optimum price. What else can you ask for? August 4, 2006

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