New Releases

Frédéric d’Erlanger’s romantic Piano Concerto, Concerto Symphonique, dates from 1921. Brilliantly played by Victor Sangiorgio – all flashing pianism and sumptuous orchestration – it will appeal to lovers of the romantic concerto. It is coupled with two delectable shorter works for cello and orchestra: the Ballade (1926) and the Andante Symphonique (1903). Beautifully projected by cellist Guy Johnston, one immediately wonders why we had not heard them before. Similarly romantic is d’Erlanger’s comparatively small output of orchestral music, which is well represented here by Sursum Corda! (1919) and the Prélude Romantique (1934). This is a gorgeous survey of a deserving romantic composer.

This CD celebrates Stephen McNeff's period from 2005-2008 as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Composer in the House, an inspired, groundbreaking scheme initiated and funded by the Royal Philharmonic Society and the PRS for Music Foundation. It features four varied, colourful works McNeff composed during his residency. The diverting Sinfonia was composed as a concert opener and hearkens back to the 18th century symphonies of William Boyce. Heiligenstadt was composed at Marin Alsop’s request for a work to precede Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, McNeff responding with a work inspired by Beethoven’s struggles to come to terms with his increasing deafness. Weathers was conceived for the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and the BSO and sets Thomas Hardy’s poetry. In an atmospheric sequence, the work evokes an imaginary journey by the poet as he contemplated the changing Dorset landscapes in different seasons and weathers. Secret Destinations is McNeff’s personal, moving tribute to his friend, the poet Charles Causley, an evocation of a “friend pictured within.” The performances are conducted by Dominic Wheeler, a staunch advocate of McNeff’s music. World premiere recordings.

Cyril Scott’s early works are preserved at the University of Melbourne, part of the collection assembled by Scott’s friend Percy Grainger. From that source Martin Yates has rescued three gorgeous romantic scores: the overture Pelleas and Melisanda of 1900, perhaps written in the shadow of Tchaikovsky, the lovely Cello Concerto, Op.19 written in 1902 with its glorious D major melody, and the unfinished three-movement Piano Concerto in D, also from 1900. This is lovely music and all are worthwhile scores, but the crown of this collection is Scott’s early Piano Concerto, which conductor Martin Yates has salvaged from a chaotic manuscript and for which he has provided a completion to the third movement. Played in his grandest romantic style by pianist Peter Donohoe, what is revealed is a striking romantic concerto on a big scale, and with a strong personal voice. This was a remarkable achievement for a twenty-year-old composer at the beginning of a new century. Furthermore, some of the stylistic elements that make the later First Concerto so distinctive are explored here, especially in the first two movements. World premiere recordings.

Charles-Marie Widor, best known for his organ music, composed prolifically in all forms. After the success of Dutton Epoch’s recording of Widor’s piano concertos (CDLX 7275), this second volume now explores his Second Symphony (1882) and Cello Concerto (1878). Swedish cellist Torleif Thedéen is the soloist in this major addition to the nineteenth century cello repertoire. Widor’s unfamiliar Second Symphony is notable for its vivid orchestral colouring and memorable invention, whilst three atmospheric preludes to his opera Les Pêcheurs de Saint-Jean (1905) complete this cherishable collection of French orchestral discoveries. World premiere recordings.