Customer Reviews

Respighi: Piano Concerto in A minor; Concerto in Modo Misolidio

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I haven't had the chance to listen to the Concerto Misolidio (indeed I had no idea it existed until I searched for this disc after hearing a friend's copy of the A minor Concerto) but the Concerto in A minor is absolutely wonderful. Tozer's playing is lush and full, showing that he can not only handle the technical challenges of the concerto (of which there are many! I'm a pianist and this concerto is far beyond me) but infuse them with musicality as well. The orchestra does a fine job, and the recording as a whole does justice to this underplayed masterpiece by Respighi. Highly recommended!

The fatidic decision of this renowned conductor as well as his wife made me remind his unusual repertoire. Far from the conventional concert schedules, he always bet for unknown works of major or minor composers.

In this case his devotion for making us to know about Respighi's certain unknown Symphonic Opus must have been a titanic effort. Most of us tend to know just The Fountains of Rome, The pines of Rome, The Birds Suite, Boticellian triptych and his fabulous Violin Concerto. This album offers works which belonged to the unknown territory. His honest conviction and sheer commitment always deserved him the best comments.

Geoffrey Tozer makes an admirable partnership with Downes in both works. That album is just a bit that exposes with admirable eloquence, the notable majesty of his craft.

Sir Downes: rest in peace!