Search - Henryk Melcer, Christoph König, Glasgow BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra :: Melcer: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Jim Galbraith thinks the Melcer's are okay

James W. Galbraith | Sunnyside, Washington USA | 02/23/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A good addition in this particular series. Not as beautiful or energetic as the Alnaes concerto released earlier, but still very entertaining. Very good pianism from Plowright. A must buy in this series."

Brilliant Virtuoso Concertos

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 05/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Henryk Melcer was born in Poland in 1869. He began his musical studies at home, taught by a maternal grandmother and his father, eventually winning a gold medal as a student. Interestingly, he studied both music and mathematics at Warsaw University and in Vienna. Melcer was a fantastic performer and his abilities were admired by Busoni and Scriabin among others.



The Piano Concerto No. 1 was composed during 1892 - 94 while the composer was a student. The concerto was submitted to the Second Anton Rubinstein Competition in a pared down form where it won the Composition Prize. The concerto was performed in its complete form in 1896. The concerto was popular in Germany and Poland but not well received in Britain; Michael Ponti recorded it in 1980.



The concerto opens with a brief brass fanfare. The soloist enters alone with a heroic melody that is taken up by the orchestra, and then elaborated by soloist and orchestra together. The movement has a peaceful interlude until the soloist introduces a dramatic melody that builds slowly to a climax. The music builds to another climax, then settles into a quiet, reflective mood and the music fades away. The middle movement is a short Andantino, characterized by a romantic melody elaborated by soloist and orchestra. The second movement leads directly into the third, which opens with the same gentle music. A bucolic melody slowly builds from the orchestra and is joined by the soloist. Eventually, the orchestra and soloist open up with a joyous melody that is elaborated, with some brilliant passagework by the soloist.



The Piano Concerto No. 2 was composed in 1898 for the Jan Paderewski Competition where it won first prize. The concerto has been performed on a regular basis in Poland, and was recorded commercially in 1980. The soloist begins with a somber melody that builds in volume slowly until the soloist and orchestra reach an explosive climax. The somber mood continues until the soloist introduces a gentle, bucolic melody. The movement ends quietly, and the Andante picks up with the same somber mood introducing a romantic theme. The music slowly builds in intensity and returns to the opening. The music builds again to a fanfare for the brass with the piano answering each call. The Finale takes off with a dazzling melody the whirls along between soloist and orchestra. A second melody, grandly introduced by the brass is picked up by the soloist followed by interplay between orchestra and pianist elaborating the melodies. The concerto ends with a brilliant run.



Both concertos are demanding on the soloist and Jonathan Plowright is certainly equal to the task, providing a sensitive reading. The music of both concerti is expressive and tuneful and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christoph Konig performs beautifully. This is certainly one of the more outstanding discs in the Romantic Piano Concerto series.



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