The Romantic Piano Concerto 14 - Litolff [Import]

Henry Litolff (Composer), Andrew Litton (Conductor), Bournemouth Sinfonietta (Orchestra), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Peter Donohoe (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Peter Donohoe
• Orchestra: Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Andrew Litton
• Composer: Henry Litolff
• Audio CD (February 10, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000002ZY8
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,733 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Concerto Symphonique No 2 In B minor Op 22: Maestoso

2. Concerto Symphonique No 2 In B minor Op 22: Scherzo

3. Concerto Symphonique No 2 In B minor Op 22: Andante

4. Concerto Symphonique No 2 In B minor Op 22: Rondo: Allegretto

5. Concerto Symphonique No 4 In D minor Op 102: Allegro con fuoco

6. Concerto Symphonique No 4 In D minor Op 102: Scherzo: Presto

7. Concerto Symphonique No 4 In D minor Op 102: Adagio religioso

8. Concerto Symphonique No 4 In D minor Op 102: Allegro impetuoso

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Romantic Music, November 23, 1999

By 

M. Fife (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Romantic Piano Concerto 14 - Litolff (Audio CD)

This is one of my favourites in the Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto series. Litolff's music is full of Chopin, Brahms, and other great Romantics. The 4 movement symphonic structure is unique for piano concertos and the music performed, both by the soloist and the orchestra, is top notch. If you like the Chopin, Schumann, and Brahms piano concertos, you will have no problem enjoying these gems.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lilting Litolff, October 27, 2001

By 

NotATameLion (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Romantic Piano Concerto 14 - Litolff (Audio CD)

In the one hundred and thirty years since its composition, Litolff's fourth piano concerto has been recorded in its entirety only twice. One has the feeling that this excellent disc from Hyperion is about to change all that.

Henry Litolff's story is a fascinating one. Born the son of a musician, Henry was, as an adolescent, impressed into working at a piano factory. One day, while demonstrating a piano to a customer, he was "discovered" as a talent by the factory's owner. The owner took Henry under his wing and paid for him to receive formal lessons.

Litolff went on to have four marriages and travel much of Europe as a performer. He composed reams of music--from salon pieces to larger concertos (like the two included here).

Litolff's popular yet well-educated style makes for some pretty enjoyable and accessible listening. In fact, the scherzo of the fourth concerto has been something of a show piece in its own right. It is a lively, almost dancing piece that allows the pianist to demonstrate their adeptness at full speed. I find both concertos to be quite enjoyable. This is what romantic music should be!

I have greatly enjoyed the work that the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has done with Hyperion. This disc is no exception to what is quickly becoming a rule with them (a rule of excellency). The sound is up to Hyperion's typically top notch standard. Andrew Litton has a great grasp on the spirit of Litolff's music and it comes through in his conducting. Peter Donohoe proves himself to be a strong advocate of both pieces.

This disc is well worth hearing. I recommend it.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concerto Symphonique, August 2, 2004

By 

Alan Beggerow (Sterling, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Romantic Piano Concerto 14 - Litolff (Audio CD)

After listening to these two pieces, it's a mystery why Litolff's music ended up being mostly forgotten. It is well-crafted and needs a sensitive virtuoso for the piano part, for the piano roars in some places, whispers in others, and touches the heart in yet others.

The style of these pieces is quite different from some romantic piano concerti, where the piano is the star and the orchestra merely plays along. In these pieces, the piano and orchestra are equals, and the results are stunning.

I have listened to these pieces many times, and I still enjoy them very much. Hopefully they will find a place in the piano/orchestra programs of orchestras. These pieces need to be heard more often.

Highly recommended!