Bernhard Scholz's Concert-Fantasie (1881)

[tpaloj]

I've just posted a new upload on youtube: Bernhard Scholz's 1881 Concert-Fantasie for piano and orchestra. I've used Scholz's autograph digitized by SBB to recreate this neglected showpiece with Dorico/Noteperformer – it does really shoot through the roof with some fantastically witty, rhythmically charged writing from the midpoint-Allegro con brio section until the end.

I don't have much info on its composition or performance history to share besides the fact that it seems to have been performed several times in 1881–82 and in 1907 according to player markings in the parts (these are described on the work's entries on RISM). A copyist's full score is also extant, but I couldn't find a piano reduction anywhere.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/CttYwmZKBr4?si=YLRmSeOYUqsTYMjz

[Mark Thomas]

Thanks very much, Tuomas. What an attractive piece. Bernhard Scholz really has been a welcome discovery: the two symphonies, Piano Concerto and Capriccio for piano and orchestra are all equally well made and appealing.

[Alan Howe]

There's also an interesting link with composer Paul Caro.