The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol.3

Moritz Moszkowski (Composer), Anton Rubinstein (Composer), Franz Xaver Scharwenka (Composer), Sigismund Thalberg (Composer), Hans Richard Stracke (Conductor), Othmar Maga (Conductor), Richard Kapp (Conductor), Hamburg Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Philharmonia Hungarica (Orchestra), Westphalian Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Michael Ponti (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Michael Ponti
• Orchestra: Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Hungarica, Westphalian Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Hans Richard Stracke, Othmar Maga, Richard Kapp
• Composer: Moritz Moszkowski, Anton Rubinstein, Franz Xaver Scharwenka, Sigismund Thalberg
• Audio CD (November 4, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Vox (Classical)
• ASIN: B000001K3E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,691 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars buy it for the Moszkowski, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol.3 (Audio CD)

The Moszkowski concerto is tuneful, stylish, and delightful, somewhat in the style or at least temperament of Saint-Saens. It certainly deserves at least a limited place in the concert repertoire.

As for the other concerti on the disk, the Scharwenka and Thalberg are more of a historical curiosity, but the Rubenstein has flitted in and out of the concert repertoire from time to time (but to my ears is not up to a comparison with Moszkowski).

They are all given serviceable, if not inspired, readings by Ponti.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A mix of quality, April 25, 2010

By 

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

This review is from: The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol.3 (Audio CD)

The romantic era featured many touring piano virtuosos, and many of them wrote concerti to showcase their talent. The best of these can provide a passing amusement, the very best are worth hearing more than once. To my ears, the Moszkowski and Thalberg are representative of the former, average or above for the genre, but not outstanding.

Anton Rubinstein was actually a skilled composer as well as virtuoso pianist. With his melodic talent, sense of structure and drama, and ability to orchestrate he ranks just below the romantic composers who are widely remember today. His later piano concerti are among his best works, and the fourth is always a pleasure to hear.

Xaver Scharwenka was not in a class with Rubinstein as a composer, but was near the top of the class of the virtuosos in the quality of the concerti he wrote. His second concerto is more melodic and less virtuosic than the first or fourth, but enjoyable.

These are older recording, and the sound is a bit brittle at the edges. The piano is very forward, but that is forgivable in this music, which is very much about the soloist. This remains one of the better albums for this genre.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Concertos, May 1, 2008

By 

George M. Tenegal (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol.3 (Audio CD)

I really enjoy hearing little known works and all of these concertos deserve to be heard. The performances are excellent and, although I already have all of them on record albums, it's great to have them on CD's. I appreciate the fact that they were available! Thanks!