Moritz_Moszkowski

Moritz Moszkowski and Adolf Schulz-Ever: romantic pur sang

In 1991, Hyperion launched a new, exceptionally enjoyable, project, the Romantic Piano Concerto.



The series opened with a recording of Moszkowski’s piano concerto, which was, in those days, considered to be his only piano concerto.

At the time, no one knew that another, earlier concerto existed; it was only discovered in 2008.



Is it any good? Yes and no. It’s actually a bit of fluff, but how beautiful it is! Really something to listen to with your eyes closed, preferably in the garden in the sun (in front of the burning stove in
winter is also fine), your mind switched off and… sweet dreams will come.

With its almost 54 minutes, the concerto is quite long and part four, allegro sostenuto, should really have been left out, but hey… sometimes it’s nice not to have to think and just surrender to pure romance.

Very little is known about Adolf Schulz-Ever; even his name is spelled in different ways. The Pole, who was a student of Stanislaw Moniuszko, must have been an extraordinary piano virtuoso, because his eleven-minute work really needs a master pianist. But also one who just knows how
to tease out the famous “Russian soul” (the work is not called Russian Rhapsody for nothing!) and how to fill it with unabashed longing.


The Bulgarian Ludmil Angelov can do that. Together with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Kiradjiev, he makes my heart beat a little faster.

Thank you, Hyperion. I will cherish this CD as a beautiful memory.


More Moszkowski:

Polish or not Polish: this CD is a must

No, there is no such thing as a ‘Polish violin’. British violinist Jennifer Pike plays a Guarneri del Gesù from 1733 and there is nothing Polish about it. But the four composers on her album are Polish. At least as far as nationality is concerned, because their works, apart from Wieniawski’s Polonaise de concert (who was Jewish, nota bene) are not ‘Polish’.

Not that it matters. A CD has to sell and a catchy title is always a bonus. But if not only the repertoire but also the performance is truly phenomenal, I will not complain.

For anyone who loves violin concerts, Henryk Wieniawski is a well-known name, although these days he is not being performed very often. Szymanowski, after years of silence and ridicule, has become one of the most played composers today. His Myths, for me one of his most beautiful compositions, is also appearing more and more often in recitals. And even the arrangement of Roxane’s song from Król Roger has been recorded before.

Moritz Moszkowski is probably still known here and there for his piano concerto, but you just never hear Mieczyslaw Karlowicz. Why? Who knows? This composer, who was born in December 1876 and died in February 1909 (he was caught in an avalanche during a skiing trip in the high Tatra mountains), left behind a large oeuvre of brilliant works: symphonies, concertos, chamber music and irresistible songs. So it is a pity that the duo Jennifer Pike and Petr Limonov have only recorded one piece by Karlowicz. Especially since they have an audible affinity with it. Something for the future?

But anyway: this CD is a must for all violin, chamber music or just music lovers. Everything about it is beautiful. Really everything. Pike’s phrasing is sensual, even almost erotic , which  fits the music like a glove. Petr Limonov is her best ‘partner in crime’ and together they provide a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. Don’t miss this CD!


Szymanowski, Moszkowski, Karlowicz, Wieniawski
Jennifer Pike (violin), Petr Limonov (piano)
Chandos CHAN  20082

Pianoconcerten van Moritz Moszkowski en Adolf Schulz-Evler: romantiek pur sang

Moszkowski.jpg

In 1991 lanceerde Hyperion een nieuw, buitengewoon leuk project, het Romantisch Pianoconcert. De reeks werd geopend met de opname van pianoconcert van Moszkowski, toen nog hét pianoconcert. Men wist nog niet dat er nog één, eerder gecomponeerde concert bestond; die werd pas in 2008 ontdekt.

Is het wat? Ja en nee. Het is eigenlijk een niemendalletje, maar, mijn God, wat is het mooi! Echt iets om met de ogen dicht te beluisteren, het liefst in de tuin in de zon (voor de brandende kachel in de winter mag ook), je verstand op nul en … laat de dromen maar komen!

Met zijn bijna 54 minuten is het concert behoorlijk lang en eigenlijk had deel vier, allegro sostenuto, er uitgeknipt moeten worden, maar ach …..Soms is het fijn om niet te hoeven nadenken en zich aan pure romantiek over te geven.

Van Adolf Schulz-Evler is bitter weinig bekend, zelfs zijn naam wordt op verschillende manieren gespeld. De Pool, die een leerling was van Stanisław Moniuszko moest in ieder geval een buitengewoon pianovirtuoos zijn geweest, want zijn elf minuten durend werk schreeuwt om een meesterpianist. Maar dan wel één die de beroemde “Russische ziel” (het werk heet niet voor niets Russian Rhapsody!) er uit weet te peuteren en het met ongegeneerd veel smacht aan de man weet te slijten.

De Bulgaar Ludmil Angelov kan dat. Samen met het BBC Scottish Symphony die onder leiding staat van Vladimir Kiradjiev laat hij mijn hart sneller kloppen.

Bedankt Hyperion. Ik ga de cd koesteren als een mooie herinnering aan de zomer die maar geen zomer wilde worden.

‘Mini-taster’ van de opname:

MORITZ MOSZKOWSKI
Piano Concerto in B minor, Op.3
ADOLF SCHULZ-EVER
Russian Rhapsody
Ludmil Angelov (piano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra olv Vladimir Kiradjiev
Hyperion CDA68109 • 71’