Lucija Garuta PC in F sharp minor (1952)

[Alan Howe]

It's surely got to be one of the best late, late PCs 'out there'. Glorious is the word.

[eschiss1]

Found on NML tonight and listened. If I say that I intend to go back, it's because I did indeed enjoy it that much too, I do believe (for melody, for sense of structure and of well-considered momentum which I don't always find in the consensus locus classicus (the 2nd & 3rd Rachmaninoff concertos), ... thank you for the recommendation )

[Alan Howe]

You're welcome, Eric. Good to have your view.

[Mark Thomas]

I've just listened to it, too, and it's a very fine piece of work indeed. I was expecting something more sub-Rachmaninov, but whereas the debt to him is clear enough, Garuta's own voice is very strong and attractive in its heavily late romantic way. Her orchestration is quite dense, but never murky, and it suits the rhapsodic, moderato pace of much of the music. The performances and recording are impeccable and I entirely agree with the plaudits already showered here on the work and recording. It is indeed a real gem.

[dhibbard]

thought you would enjoy it!

[Alan Howe]

Here's a suitably appreciative review:
http://musicweb-international.com/classrev/2017/Dec/Garuta_piano_056.HTM