Moszkowski:Piano Concerto [Ludmil Angelov; BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra , Vladimir Kiradjiev] [HYPERION : CDA68109]

The rst recording of Moritz Moszkowski’s long-lostand eagerly awaitedearly Piano Concerto makes for a particularly important addition to the Romantic Piano Concerto series. The coupling is another rarity (and recorded premiere): the Russian Rhapsody by Adolf Schulz-Evler.
An unstintingly engaged and engaging performance by pianist, conductor and the BBC Scottish SO, who have been such stalwarts throughout this series. Gramophone,July’16 /// Moritz Moszkowski’s First Piano Concerto was given an auspicious world premiere in Berlin in 1875. A year later, the composer played it in Weimar in an arrangement for two pianos with Franz Liszt taking the second piano part. Thereafter however, Moszkowski made little effort to get the work published, and it remained completely forgotten until a musicologist discovered the manuscript a few years ago in the Bibliothèque Nationale [de France]. Moszkowski’s disparaging assessment of the Concerto as ‘worthless’ is certainly wide of the mark. Indeed, this ambitious work, laid out in four movements and even exceeding Brahm’s Second Piano Concerto in duration, is brimful of attractive melodic ideas and resourceful orchestration. Stylistically, it might not be particularly original, drawing much inspiration from Schumann, Liszt and Chopin. But the music is alswars engaging, and even the extended Finale sustains one’s interest. It’s entirely appropriate that this finely balanced first recording should be by the Bulgarian pianist and conductor that ave its first modern performance in Warsaw in 2014. Certainly, Ludmil Angelov dispatches the hugely taxing piano part with consummate virtuosity and the orchestra respond with alert and strongly characterised playing under Vladimir Kirjadev both in this score and Adolf Schulz-Evler’s rather frothy Russian Rhapsody. Alltogether, this is a very welcome addition to Hyperion’s invaluable Romantic Piano Concerto series. Performance ***** Recording **** BBC MUSIC CHORAL AND SONG CHOICE –BBC Music Magazine, Nov’16Will certainly be played over and over again. Music Web, July ’16 /// Ludimol Angelov plays with enviable fluency and affection. **** International Piano, Sept/ Oct’16 /// Ludmil Angelov achieves minor miracles by throwing everything he can technically and interpretatively at these works, as does Vladimir Kiradjiev, who secures admirably direct playing from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra ***** –Classical Ear, Sept’16Both these works are recorded for the first time and very well too, both in terms of accomplishment and regarding the sound quality. As an entrée Adolf Schulz-Evler’s Russian Rhapsody makes a tasty morsel. … .. enjoyably until the martial and rousing coda, written with one eye on an ovation. Ludmil Angelov deserves one for his sensitive and thrilling playing. … .. he does for excelling in the four-movement, here 54-minute B-minor Piano Concerto by Moritz Moszkowski… … With what heroics this music is given, worth a punt especially if the genre appeals, and Hyperion’s long-running series is testament to the interest we have in the Romantic Piano Concerto. –Classical Source, Aug’16