Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Richard Moss on Friday 03 January 2020, 11:58

Title: Zilinskis Piano Concerto in E minor (1946)
Post by: Richard Moss on Friday 03 January 2020, 11:58
I recently came across a PC by Arvids Zilinskis.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E_TXwIYKIY&t=9s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E_TXwIYKIY&t=9s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTzEeX_DRDI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTzEeX_DRDI)

Although dated to the mid-1940s, it really struck me as almost archetypal 'romantic' except for a few short 'modernistic' interludes.  Whilst not in the style of Andre Mathieu, nevertheless it was he who came to mind as I listened.

I rarely look for 20th C works (after WW1) or spend time listening to them as 99% seem to disappoint but in this case I'm glad I made an exception.

If any other UC members get a chance to listen, I'd be interested on your take on this work.

Best wishes

Richard
Title: Re: Zilinskis Piano Concerto in E minor (1946)
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 03 January 2020, 12:10
Thanks, Richard. It's a very fetching, fully romantic-sounding piece.
Title: Re: Zilinskis Piano Concerto in E minor (1946)
Post by: Gareth Vaughan on Friday 03 January 2020, 12:11
Yes indeed. What is NOT fetching is the screaming child, who should have been fetched away!
Title: Re: Zilinskis Piano Concerto in E minor (1946)
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 03 January 2020, 12:19
That's in the second of the two performances - in rather better sound than the first, even if the piano is backwardly balanced.
Title: Re: Zilinskis Piano Concerto in E minor (1946)
Post by: dhibbard on Friday 03 January 2020, 14:19
Another wonderful one is Peteris Barisons' "Latvian Rhapsody" for piano and orchestra (1945)
Title: Re: Zilinskis Piano Concerto in E minor (1946)
Post by: Gerhard Griesel on Friday 03 January 2020, 18:31
What a discovery for me! Pity that no quality recording is available. The second version was thoroughly spoilt not only by the screaming child's parent but also by people shouting in the background and uncouth clapping.