Probably the most important and singular release of this year, this Busoni
Concerto would definitely have made it for the Gramophone Awards. . It is
indeed a suitable jewel in the crown of Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto
and continues to confirm the superb enterprising brilliance of this series.
The latest issues were not really memorable, Kullak, Dreyschock, Brull, a
sound coupling but nothing overtly sensational, the Busoni definitely is
and more besides. As Michael Spring espouses in his introduction, Busoni's
reputation as a composer has suffered considerably as he is mainly remembered
as a colossal pianist. John Ogdon's recording with Revenaugh has been the
standard recommendation of this work for decades and it was the double LP
Concert Classics set that kept me constant company when listening (most of
the time open-mouthed) to this fabulous recording. Hamelin is the supreme
virtuoso, from that titanic piano entry to the devilish fingerwork of the
Pezzo giocoso through to the divinity of the cantico. Occasionally
the sheer fantasy of Ogdon's playing is captivating but constantly I found
myself returning to Hamelin's unobtrusive virtuosity especially with a recording
that confirms the Symphony Hall's fabled acoustic. Hamelin's Prologo e
Introito is sublime with some dazzling piano playing and an orchestral
contribution of great beauty especially in the 'Pastorale' conclusion
(Ronald Stevenson). The central movements are also quite winningly done
especially the three-movement Pezzo giocoso, a true display of fearsome
virtuosity and magnificent genius. Comparing Ogdon and Hamelin is difficult,
I am a great fan of the former but the dash and polish of Hamelin is also
magnificent. Tarantella is also quite fantastic with a full-throated
orchestral accompaniment coaxed along with panache by Elder. The concluding
pages of that movement are utterly absorbing, power and harmony make strange
bedfellows but all is consumed in the final movement of Babylonian proportions
(Stevenson again). It is a question of the futility of life almost reminiscent
of Mahler's magnificent Eighth Symphony with a chorus of unhallowed beauty
rising alongside harmonic shifts. Both versions are quite flawless here although
Hyperion has the better recording and Ogden's is now beginning to show its
age. I did not care much for the remastered Ogdon, indeed I prefer the wholesome
rounded sound of the LPs, a crisp alternative to the CD. Ronald Stevenson's
outstanding booklet note is reproduced for the benefit of all and was an
awesome eye-opener for me; it will definitely be for those who buy this disc.
Crystal clear recording and outstanding presentation continue to add to the
allure of this spectacular release. However it should definitely redefine
the status of this superb concerto as one of the most important this century.
MULTAE TERRICOLIS LINGUAE, COELESTIBUS UNA
Reviewer
Gerald Fenech
Marc Andre'
Hamelin: Piano, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Mark
Elder
