A primary inspiration for the young Chopin, so the standard program notes say, was the work of Irish composer and pianist John Field, who pioneered the nocturne genre. But he clearly had models nearer at hand in Poland, especially in larger works such as the two piano concertos from the beginning of his career. This release, with British pianist Howard Shelley leading the Sinfonia Varsovia, takes a look at two concertos Chopin might well have known. Neither is a lost masterwork, but together they expand one's understanding ...
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A primary inspiration for the young Chopin, so the standard program notes say, was the work of Irish composer and pianist John Field, who pioneered the nocturne genre. But he clearly had models nearer at hand in Poland, especially in larger works such as the two piano concertos from the beginning of his career. This release, with British pianist Howard Shelley leading the Sinfonia Varsovia, takes a look at two concertos Chopin might well have known. Neither is a lost masterwork, but together they expand one's understanding of Chopin's music. The Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 14, appeared in 1813. Its primary point of interest is its finale, marked simply Rondo Allegretto but unmistakably Polish in nature. It is a big, vigorous mazurka, beginning with a melodically and harmonically spiky theme that eventually resolves into diatonic material. The movement is fun from start to finish, and Shelley catches its high spirits nicely. He's even better in the large outer movements of the Piano Concerto in A...
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