Edward MacDowell: Piano Concerto No. 1 in A minor; Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor; Second Modern Suite Op 14 [Import]

Edward MacDowell (Composer), Martyn Brabbins (Conductor), Glasgow BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Seta Tanyel (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Seta Tanyel
• Orchestra: Glasgow BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Martyn Brabbins
• Composer: Edward MacDowell
• Audio CD (April 10, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B00005A7LQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,062 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The notes are there, but...., June 18, 2004

By 

Darin Tysdal (Bloomington, MN 55420) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Edward MacDowell: Piano Concerto No. 1 in A minor; Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor; Second Modern Suite Op 14 (Audio CD)

I have to agree with the other reviewer. After Stephen Prutsman's fresh and lively performances of these concertos, Tanyel's came as a shock. The timings are about the same, but I see no special insights into these works. I really like her playing of the 2nd modern suite, however. There just needs to be more sparkle, and in the 1st concerto, more verve and forward motion. But even Prutsman and Tanyel cannot beat Van Cliburn in one of his most exciting performances. For a great sample of Tanyel's art, please listen to her Scharwenka concertos 2 and 3 plus his solo piano music. She finds just the right balance between gravitas and fantasy, which is just what her interpretations of the MacDowell concertos need.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Pedestrian recording, April 25, 2001

By 

DK (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edward MacDowell: Piano Concerto No. 1 in A minor; Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor; Second Modern Suite Op 14 (Audio CD)

I love the MacDowell Piano Concerti, though there is not a single recording of the two works that satisfy me 100%. This recording certainly doesen't come close. Tanyel plays cleanly, neatly, but with little involvement, committment, virtuoso sound or technique. The phrasing makes sense, but nothing more: there is little beauty of color, sound, shape, or personal statement. One would have expected more from the orchestra as well: the conductor's tempi (especially in the first concerti) are almost metronomic(you hear accents on the downbeat of every measure), and the light texture and slow tempi he employs works against the grain of the composer's grand conceptions of these works. The end result: a very UNSTYLISTIC rendering from soloist and orchestra.

Suggestions: The most satisfying recording to date of both Piano Concerti is Thomas Tirino's on the Centaur label. While the Bulgarian Orchestra is about a "B" class-Tirino is such a great pianist that he makes certainly the best played version of the two works ever committed to disc, hands down. His phenomenal, HUGE technique, sensitivity in sound, phrasing, subtle musicianship, and artistic statements made to these pieces are untouchable. Despite the orchestra, the conductor on his recording conducts the pieces extremely well. The Amato recording on Olympia has a magnificent sounding orchestra, but an extremely tired, awful sounding pianist. Avoid the Hahn and Watts recordings: They are DREADFUL. Eugene List's version now on CD is almost at an equal calibre of playing as Tirino's, but doesen't have any of the beauty of sound and phrasing that Tirino brings along with the technical panache. Also, the orchestra and conductor are quite horrific on List's recording. There is the famous recording of the Second Concerto by Van Cliburn (he never recorded the first concerto): but you know-Tirino plays it just as well, and at times, even better-and you get BOTH concerti! Get Tirino's recording for the two works. I would also pick up Cliburn's of the second concerto and the now available Claudette Sorel rehearsal recording of the second concerto for reference. They are the only other two pianists really in Tirino's league.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ugh!, December 7, 2007

By 

Classic Music Lover (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edward MacDowell: Piano Concerto No. 1 in A minor; Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor; Second Modern Suite Op 14 (Audio CD)

If you're into hidebound interpretations coupled with a large dose of lethargy (poorly) camouflaged as "profound meaning," this is the recording for you.

But you don't really want that, do you? So avoid this CD at all costs.

This recording's outclassed just about everywhere -- even by ones that are priced significantly lower than Hyperion's premium import cost. In Concerto #1, you can do much better with Eugene List or Stephen Prutsman. Plus I've heard Thomas Tirino does a masterful job, too, though I haven't had the opportunity to hear his performance. In Concerto #2, there are many more readings to choose from, and you can pick any number of them and do better than this. Earl Wild is about as good as it gets in this score.

I love conductor Martyn Brabbins' musicianship, but even he can't rescue this pitiful enterprise -- a rare dud in Hyperion's otherwise exemplary Romantic Piano Concerto series.