Customer Reviews

Moritz Moszkowski: Piano Concerto in E major; Suite for Orchestra "From Foreign Lands"

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4 star:		(1)
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Naxos has done it again. They have brought to the the listening room a very splendid recording of the Moszkowski piano concerto. Markus Pawlik caresses the keyboard to produce a soulfully lyrical rendering of this magnificent and seldom heard romantic gem. There are other recordings, i.e. with Michael Ponti (VOX), Piers Lane (Hyperion) et al, (which are also very good) however, pleasure and value for money, this is the one to buy. The CD also includes a little known work "From Foreign Lands", Op.23. Another success story by Moszkowski (and Naxos)!

For those not wanting to invest in the Hyperion recording by Piers Lane of this wonderful work, this CD will do nicely. Although the performers sometimes go over-the-top in this recording, the music suits it perfectly. Bright and vivid recording. Pianist and orchestra are top-notch.

This was a composer completely unknown to me and I was surprised to discover that romantic pianomusic is more than Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Maybe there is not as many memorable tunes as there is in the more familiar music by the above mentioned, but it is confidently put together and orchestrated. The shorter dancepieces inspired by different countries are equally charming and enjoyable.

The Moszkowski concerto is one the great treasures of the late Romantic period. It is basically a "crowd-pleaser", full of beautiful melodies and lush orchestration, designed to pack the concert halls and earn its talented composer a fortune. As one of the greatest pianists of the 19th century, Moszkowski proudly displays his super-virtuosity in vast runs and arpeggios, complex chord passages, and generally amazing feats of pianism that produces the "Wow!" effect and has the listener coming back for more. Moszkowski was a passionate Jew and the concerto contains some lovely Hasidic themes that give it an intriguing Eastern European flavor. The effect is brilliant, sparkling music full of joy and the celebration of life.

This new recording from Poland is on a par with the excellent recordings by Michael Ponti and Piers Lane and is well worth the price of admission.

This is one of the finest recordings of this concerto you can get. Pawlik nails the performance cleanly and beautifully, and the audio quality is pristine. Overall, this is just an absolutely wonderful album. Moszkowski's concerto is brilliant, and definitely a much-overlooked piece in the late romantic repertoire.

While not overtly tuneful (it's not only modern music which doesn't have tunes!) the Moszkowski Concerto has a great sense of harmonic direction and scintillating piano texture which seizes the attention.Listen to the way the soloist delicately weaves his way throught the thick string sonorities 4minutes into the slow movement and the heart wrenching outpouring at 07:15...glorious stuff!
As far as unjustly neglected romantic concertos are concerned, the Moszkowski may not be in the league of Scharvenka's 4th but it certainly merits repeated hearings and frequent live concerts!
Fantastic performances from all concerned.

A composer not known to me , heard by chance on Radio New Zealand Classic Station one cold winter morning.. The Polish National Symphony Orchestra is simply supurb on this wonderful disc and Markus Powlik plays with a charm and a lightness which is mesmerising.. I can't stop playing this concerto.. and the national dances are a wonderful bonus... Don't even think about it.. grab this disc as it is will become a very special addition to any collection.. and now for more Moszkowski........!!