Hyperion RPC vol.76 Scholz & Rheinberger

[Alan Howe]

Reposted here as I think this release deserves a thread of its own:

From Simon Callaghan's website: "I am very pleased to announce that my recording of concertos by Bernhard Scholz and Josef Rheinberger will be released as Volume 76 of Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto Series on June 29th 2018. More information here:
https://www.simoncallaghan.com/news/a-date-for-the-diary/kDcyG4FfG8Tr4D6LS

cheers,
Daniel

[Alan Howe]

[Revilod]

This is an exciting release. Rheinberger's concerto is a fine piece and could do with a first-rate new recording.

[Alan Howe]

Rob H. reports:

Here's the cover. July 1st release date:
http://www.clicmusique.com/rheinberger-scholz-concertos-pour-piano-callaghan-gernon-p-100621.html?osCsid=ed6416658f04dfdfabff77d1c10fdf01

[Mark Thomas]

Ah, just in time for my birthday. How providential!

[JeremyMHolmes]

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/ym.asp?ym=2018_07

and confirmed by Hyperion.

[Alan Howe]

...and sounding extreeeeeeeemely enticing!

[FBerwald]

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68225

Beautiful sound clips - the last movement of Scholz is a charming earworm.

[Mark Thomas]

Unfortunately my first post back at UC after a few weeks' absence abroad is a negative one. I looked forward to hearing the Scholz works with much anticipation, so it's particularly galling to find myself underwhelmed by his Piano Concerto. To be sure, the slow movement is as prettily charming as the sound clips suggested it would be, but I don't detect any real depth to the music. The same is true of the outer movements, but with the added disappointment of them being based on rather trite thematic material which Scholz repeats way too often. Throughout the work there are few harmonic surprises and little dynamic or emotional contrast. The piece is undeniably easy on the ear, but I was expecting something more from this intimate of Brahms and Joachim, and successor to Raff as head of the Frankfurt Conservatory, than a piece of watered-down Schumannesque easy-listening.

I haven't listed yet to Scholz's Capriccio, but I'm not now expecting much from it. Luckily Rheinberger's magnificent Concerto will be, I'm sure, a much more satisfying listen.

[Alan Howe]

Actually, from the recent BBC Radio 3 broadcast of the Rheinberger, I'm expecting the recording of that marvellous piece to be distinctly underwhelming as well. Compare the wonderful Adrian Ruiz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xW-yxLsoOI
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concerto-Piano-2-Sgambati/dp/B000005WWM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1530550194&sr=8-2&keywords=rheinberger+piano+concerto
The orchestra on the Hyperion will be superior, though...

[Gareth Vaughan]

I think perhaps you expected too much of Scholz. I find it a very attractive piano concerto, full of melody and beautifully scored, but one which makes no attempt to plumb any depths. But then (a) I wasn't expecting it to, and (b) I love Herz - so perhaps there is no hope for me.

[Mark Thomas]

Yes, I'm sure you're right, Gareth. Still, hope (sometimes) springs eternal.

I'm expecting the recording of that marvellous piece to be distinctly underwhelming as well

The Rheinberger as well? Heigh ho. But, you're right, Alan, Ruiz' performance is the benchmark (as his is, for me, of Rubinstein's Fifth).

[Alan Howe]

The orchestral support will be better on Hyperion, but I just have the feeling that these two works needed more dynamic treatment from all concerned. Of course, my copy's on order!

[eschiss1]

maybe Scholz will be more interesting in his chamber music (his quartet and sonatas - those that are posted at IMSLP, anyway; he seems to have composed quite a few cello sonatas - look intriguing to me.)

[Alan Howe]

maybe Scholz will be more interesting in his chamber music

This is often the case. Think of Fuchs, for example; or Kiel, etc.