Scharwenka: Piano Concerto No. 4 in F minor; Sauer: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor [Import]

Emil von Sauer (Composer), Franz Xaver Scharwenka (Composer), Lawrence Foster (Conductor), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Stephen Hough (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Stephen Hough
• Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Lawrence Foster
• Composer: Emil von Sauer, Franz Xaver Scharwenka
• Audio CD (September 19, 1995)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000002ZW1
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,469 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Piano Concerto No.4 In F Minor, Op.82: Allegro Patetico

2. Piano Concerto No.4 In F Minor, Op.82: Intermezzo. Allegretto Molto Tranquillo

3. Piano Concerto No.4 In F Minor, Op.82: Lento, Mesto

4. Piano Concerto No.4 In F Minor, Op.82: Allegro Con Fuoco

5. Piano Concerto No.1 In E Minor: Allegro Patetico

6. Piano Concerto No.1 In E Minor: Scherzo. Molto Vivace - Andante Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto - Tempo

7. Piano Concerto No.1 In E Minor: Cavatina. Larghetto Amoroso

8. Piano Concerto No.1 In E Minor: Rondo. Tempo Giusto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Recording of Little Known Work, April 3, 2000

By 

R. Michael Craig (Snohomish, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scharwenka: Piano Concerto No. 4 in F minor; Sauer: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor (Audio CD)

You owe it to yourself to get this record. I had never heard Scharwenka until I chanced to hear this release on my local classical station. It is the only time I ever have, and I got lucky. I immediately got pen and paper and ordered this masterpiece. The first movement will bring you to your feet. The last evokes memories of Prokofiev's first. There is a Rachmaninoff flavor throughout that will seduce. Click "add to cart" right now. You'll never regret it. I can listen to this concerto all night long and so will you. Gets at least 5 tears of joy. Why this work is not heard more often is a mystery to me.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Flawless Recording, November 11, 2002

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scharwenka: Piano Concerto No. 4 in F minor; Sauer: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor (Audio CD)

This recording marks the first time the Scharwenka Fourth and Sauer First Piano concertos have been recorded. The works date from 1908 and 1900 respectfully and are virtuoso works that are brilliant and charming. Both concertos are cast in four movements and follow in the Lisztian tradition of romantic concertos. Schwarenka wanted to be remembered for this concerto so it is particularly fortunate that we have such an excellent recording.

Once heard, it seems impossible that this happened to two works that were once very popular. In fact, both composers, Xavier Scharwenka (1850-1924) and Emil von Sauer (1862-1942) were beloved and respected musicians in their time. This pair of concertos is brilliant and scintillating works. Stephan Hough plays them with a tone and phrasing that one reviewer described as "a model for singers as well as pianists." The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, under Lawrence Foster, perform as a full partner, and play the concertos with great affection.

This recording won not only the Gramophone Best Concerto award but was named Best Record of the Year. This is a must have disc for anyone interested in romantic piano concertos.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional recording, December 13, 1999

By 

Andre Cox (London in New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scharwenka: Piano Concerto No. 4 in F minor; Sauer: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor (Audio CD)

This superb CD is part of Hyperion's excellent Romantic Series, most of which are worth seeking out if you want to hear something different from the normal piano fare. The Scharwenka concertos, of which this is the last, have rarely been recorded, but this is one of my all time favorite recordings of any Piano Concerto. Steven Houghs playing is exceptional and I marvel whenever I hear it. With the Michelangeli's Rachmaninov 4 and Ravel G and the Richter's Liszts these are my favorite Piano Concerto's recordings. Scharwenka may be regarded as a second rate composer, but he was a great pianist in his day and like the Rachmaninov 4, which is generally rated behind 2 & 3, it is the playing that really elevates these pieces into the realm of the ecstatic.