Bowen: Piano Concertos

Driver, D. (2008) Bowen: Piano Concertos. [Audio]

Abstract

Piano Concertos by York Bowen (1884-1961) performed by Danny Driver (piano) with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Martyn Brabbins: Piano Concerto No. 3 in G minor 'Fantasia' Op. 23; Piano Concerto No. 4 in A minor Op. 88. Hyperion’s virtually single-handed rehabilitation of the music of York Bowen (known in his time as ‘The English Rachmaninov’), continues apace with this recording of the third and fourth piano concertos. Piano Concerto No 3 is a vigorous one-movement work with three well-defined sections of varying tempos in Fantasia style. Bowen’s sparkling performances of it drew plaudits from contemporary critics, who hailed it as his best composition thus far. The Piano Concerto No 4 (said by Sorabji to be the greatest work for piano and orchestra ever written by an Englishman) is a large-scale Romantic, virtuoso work, impressionistic solo passages alternating freely with Straussian orchestral textures throughout. It was written for a BBC broadcast, and for the composer himself to perform; Bowen considered the work his best composition for the piano and an important addition to the concerto literature. It has not been given a studio recording until now. The young British pianist Danny Driver, a Bowen specialist, gives a virtuoso performance with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Martyn Brabbins.

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