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Here is a fascinating and rewarding coupling of two composers whose works perhaps deserve more acknowledgement than they actually receive. The programming works remarkably well, a fact due in no small measure to the commitment of the performers. The recording is fairly detailed and close, but the orchestra is somewhat boxy when at its loudest. The sound is a little low on depth overall (this is particularly significant in the Andante slow movement to the Raff Piano Concerto).

The Busoni 'Konzertstück' (dedicated to Anton Rubinstein) is very obviously of late-Romantic origins. When Busoni concentrates on the piano's lower registers, the influence of Liszt springs to mind (try the piano's ominous initial entry). Antonioli plays with intensity, a definite plus in music which can so easily seem melodramatic in the wrong hands. Both Antonioli and Foster present the piece unapologetically and with real vigour, so that the contrasts inherent in Busoni's composition are laid bare to the listener (including the rather severe counterpoint starting at 18'04).

Joseph Joachim Raff makes rather fewer demands on his audience. His music is superbly crafted, harmonically safe and unfailingly (often delightfully) inventive. There are distinct nods towards Mendelssohn in the Konzertstück in G (originally titled, 'Ode to Spring'), both in the orchestral lightness and in the sparkling piano writing. The opening Larghetto finds Raff at his most eloquent: notice also the entry of the solo cello, reminiscent of Liszt .

The Piano Concerto is a substantial work of some 35 minutes duration. The opening, for woodwind and brass, is arresting. Antonioli possesses a singing right hand and one can hear this at its best in the first movement : note also the glittering right-hand piano figurations. The slow movement (Andante quasi larghetto) is on the light side, expressive without being overly emotive. Perhaps more flights of the imagination would have bettered this movement, but there is nevertheless much touching writing here. A pity, then, that the finale seems rather empty. Despite the best efforts of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, the march-like themes do not quite work.

Despite this last caveat, the concerto remains a fascinating work and the disc as a whole is worth hearing. Try Trio opus 8's recordings of Raff Piano Trios on CPO 999 616-2 and 999 800-2 to experience committed accounts of some of this composer's chamber music.

Colin Clarke

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F. BUSONI
Concert Piece in D minor, Op.31a

J.J. RAFF
Concert Piece in G major, Op.76

J.J. RAFF
Piano Concerto in C minor, Op.185
Allegro
Andante (quasi Larghetto)
Finale: Allegro




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