Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Wheesht on Wednesday 28 April 2021, 08:44

Title: Blitzstein, Hoiby, Ward Piano Concertos on Kritzerland
Post by: Wheesht on Wednesday 28 April 2021, 08:44
Three 20th century American piano concertos – by Marc Blitzstein, Lee Hoiby and Robert Ward – are available on a 2018 CD from Kritzerland (http://www.kritzerland.com/3pianos.htm), a company with an eclectic selection of recordings, including historical ones of William Grant Still's 'Lenox Avenue' and Suite for Violin and Orchestra.
Title: Re: Blitzstein, Hoiby, Ward Piano Concertos on Kritzerland
Post by: FBerwald on Wednesday 28 April 2021, 15:22
From the sound samples, I feel they are in the fringes. The Ward concerto sounds especially beautiful. What do the admins think?
Title: Re: Blitzstein, Hoiby, Ward Piano Concertos on Kritzerland
Post by: Wheesht on Wednesday 28 April 2021, 15:32
I always check with one of the admins before posting about music written after 1918, and I did this time as well.
Title: Re: Blitzstein, Hoiby, Ward Piano Concertos on Kritzerland
Post by: Mark Thomas on Wednesday 28 April 2021, 19:16
QuoteBut don't all these fall outside the remit of this board?
Chronologically yes, John, but they're late romantic stylistically.
Title: Re: Blitzstein, Hoiby, Ward Piano Concertos on Kritzerland
Post by: jasthill on Thursday 29 April 2021, 03:33
It might be worth observing that the three American concertos on this Kritzerland CD are from previously available (although maybe somewhat obscure) recordings some from circa 1950's-60's instead of new recordings. I'm unsure if these sources have been remastered - its nice to have them available without the grouse chase to find them individually.
Title: Re: Blitzstein, Hoiby, Ward Piano Concertos on Kritzerland
Post by: jasthill on Thursday 29 April 2021, 03:36
Oops! I forgot to read the instructions - they have been remastered by Kritzerland - Sorry.
Title: Re: Blitzstein, Hoiby, Ward Piano Concertos on Kritzerland
Post by: Wheesht on Thursday 29 April 2021, 16:40
I could or should have mentioned the remastering in my original post. A proper 'oops' goes to Kritzerland, though: they appear to have been 'Gone with the Wind' when they called the pianist in the Ward concerto Margaret rather than Marjorie Mitchell (both on the website and the CD cover and booklet notes).