Alnæs: Piano Concerto, Op. 27; Sinding: Piano Concerto, Op. 6 [Import]

Eyvind Alnaes (Composer), Christian Sinding (Composer), Andrew Litton (Conductor), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Piers Lane (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Piers Lane
• Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Andrew Litton
• Composer: Eyvind Alnaes, Christian Sinding
• Audio CD (May 8, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000NJM4IO
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,065 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Allegro Moderato

2. Lento

3. Allegro Assai (Tempo Di Valse)

4. Allegro Non Troppo

5. Andante

6. Allegro Non Assai

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Following in Grieg's Footsteps, July 17, 2007

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alnæs: Piano Concerto, Op. 27; Sinding: Piano Concerto, Op. 6 (Audio CD)

The Piano Concerti on this disc represent an antidote to the Grieg concerto by two obscure Norwegian composers. Both Eyvind Alnaes and Christian Sinding were forced to write more marketable popular songs instead of what might be termed "serious" compositions, and both were able to write a single piano concerto during their lives. Christian Sinding's concerto was written in 1889 and was revised in 1901 (which is played on this recording). It struck me as a grand work following in the footsteps of Grieg but not incorporating any of the folk melodies that the older composer user; Sinding was much more cosmopolitan in his outlook and was influenced by Liszt and Wagner. The three movements of Sinding's concerto are connected by thematic relationships. In the second movement, described by critics of the time as "Nordic," a solo horn presents the main theme of the first movement and goes on in a dreamy character. The final movement has a more heroic character and is darker in character, somewhat like Sibelius.

The Concerto of Eyvind Alnaes, written in the Romantic style of Anton Rubinstein and Sergei Rachmaninov, has an immediate appeal for the brilliant melodies and virtuoso piano writing. The concerto is scored for a large orchestra that includes eight horns, four trumpet, two tubas and six trombones. The first movement comes close to sounding like a mini-tone poem with a passionate theme played by the full orchestra alternating with quieter, more reflective passages. The middle movement is written as a funeral march but it is not entirely somber: the music has a triumphant middle section before returning to the mournful theme; then, with a roll of timpani, the final waltz movement begins; a charming mixture of popular tunes woven together with a brilliant piano part.

The Alnaes concerto is immediately accessible while I found the Sinding concerto required more hearings to appreciate but Piers Lane does a magnificent job playing these demanding works and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra with Andrew Litton make excellent partners. The recording, as one expects from Hyperion, is nicely balanced and clear.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Potboilers, January 22, 2008

By 

Oldnslow (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alnæs: Piano Concerto, Op. 27; Sinding: Piano Concerto, Op. 6 (Audio CD)

For those who like their piano concertos with filled big tunes and grand gestures (think Rachmaninoff and Grieg) these two concerti fit the bill perfectly. Thoroughly enjoyable, if little known, works by "minor" composers, that are wonderfully played. Five stars for the music, three for the recording, which seems to me a little congested and not quite up to Hyperion's usual high standard.

4.0 out of 5 stars Two pretty good later romantic piano concertos, February 1, 2012

By 

Ursiform (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Alnæs: Piano Concerto, Op. 27; Sinding: Piano Concerto, Op. 6 (Audio CD)

Lovers of romantic piano concertos will find nothing surprising, but much enjoyable, in these two concertos. Both are conventional in form and romantic in content. The Alnaes begins with some good piano work, enters a brief pastoral passage, and then proceeds tunefully to a roaring climax in the first movement. The second movement begins very quietly, then picks up a bit into a pleasant, if not remarkable, slow interlude. The third movement has a gentle theme that wouldn't be out of place in Saint-Saens. As in the first movement, there is a rousing finale.

The Sindling opens with the orchestra announcing the theme of the first movement, followed by the piano playing around a bit. The rest of the movement centers around the main theme, alternating between piano and orchestra taking the lead, ending in a loud climax. Like the Alnaes, the second movement starts very softly, then builds around a nice melody. In the third movement the piano opens with a theme reminiscent of the first movement. This final movement is something of a letdown; it is not surprising to read that Sindling had trouble finishing it, and revised it.

The performances are good, and the recorded sound decent, but not outstanding. These concertos are pleasant and better than many, but this disc is not revelatory.