Kurt Atterberg: Piano Concerto

Great music & performance!

Kurt Atterberg's Piano Concerto puts Grieg to shame. But then again, that's my opinion. I highly recommend this recording to anyone willing to take a chance on listening to music beyond belief.

After giving much praise to Atterberg's Third and Sixth Symphonies (well played by Rasilainen and the Radio Philharmonic Hannover of NDR), there's plenty to admire in this album. The Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1927-1935) is the main attraction here. And although it is not quite a masterpiece in comparison with Grieg's Piano Concerto, it nonetheless has a great deal going for it. The beginning of the Concerto alludes to that of Grieg. But listen to the remaining minutes of the first movement and you'll sense something Rachmaninovian in its brooding, somewhat melancholic, romantic atmosphere. But listen further and you'll sense the structure and style somewhat similar to the first movement of Medtner's First Piano Concerto. The overall atmosphere is Nordic, but with that Slavic concentration and coloring that brings to mind the young, searching Scriabin. The Andante movement is especially memorable: the mood which is subtle and melancholic with the piano writing that is soothing, flowing, and grandeur in the worlds of Rachmaninov and even Medtner. And the support of the captivating muted strings somewhat Baxian in nature is inescapable here. But turn to the intense middle part of the movement and you'll find yourself enraptured by its subtlety and substance of musical thought. The finale is robust and triumphant, again Nordic, but again with that Slavic inner thoughts that are not too far from, say, Lyapunov (try 1:10 - ff).The other two works on this disc include the Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra & Ballad and Passacaglia. The Rhapsody is particularly an outgoing, somewhat flamboyant piece. The quiet middle section is very memorable and captivating. The equally impressive Ballad and Passacaglia is rather characteristic: alternating between the somber slow tempo sections and energetic, ebullient, dramatic ones.Love Derwinger continues to be a compelling, musically conscious pianist. He possesses this gift of not only matching the essences behind the music, but also taking them to the next level that is immensely rewarding. As in Reger's Piano Concerto (BIS), Derwinger goes deep and unyielding in Atterberg's Concerto and Rhapsody. But what's more is that Derwinger is such an imaginative artist that he seems to go beyond the conventionalism behind the playing and makes a piece sound as if there's an occasion like no others. That's what a great artist would do, give a piece an occasion that will make you want to come back for more: a "cherry pie under the rays of the sun" in other words. Rasilainen and the Radio Philharmonic Hannover of NDR measure up to Derwinger flair and imagination euphoniously. Thumbs up to CPO for its ongoing series of Swedish music (and severely underplayed works in general).

When I first heard this piece I wondered why so few recordings. The melodies stick in your mind such as the Grieg or Tchaikovsky concerto.There are only 2 recordings available of this work. This one will do nicely.Love Derwinger is an excellent pianist. He is backed up very capably by Ari Rasilainen and the excellent Hanover orchestra. The couplings are attractive making this disc more desirable. Sound is very good. Check it out. You wont be disappointed.

Kurt Atterburg: Piano Concerto is a 2000 cpo recording starring pianist Love Derwinger. Ari Rasilainen leads the Radio Philharmonie Hannover des NDR. Love Derwinger's performance is truly magical and I feel that he truly understands the nature of Atterberg's music. A breathtaking recording. Highly recommended indeed. 5/5.

Everything I have heard by Atterberg has been tuneful and highly enjoyable. These three works certainly qualify. The Piano Concerto is full of lovely melodies, richly developed, and exciting pianistic bravura. The slow movement is hauntingly beautiful, and the end of the finale is as exciting as it could be.Rasilainen, the NDR Orchestra, and Love Derwinger complement the composer in the total fulfillment of the work, with Derwinger's touch providing at one point the most bell-like chords I've heard on a piano. His playing is superb.The other two works are most enjoyable as well, a Swedish folk tune given treatment in the Ballade and Passacaglia.The sound is first class. This would make a fine present for a friend or relative who loves tuneful romantic music.

Oeuvres intéressantes d'un compositeur peu connu en France

Exciting and beautiful works played with the appropriate excitement and beauty. Imagine being born a mere seven years after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and living until 1974! Atterberg's music, to my mind, is a superb demonstration of the transitions this composer lived through.To my ear (played on a Cambridge Azur 650C and an Integra DTR 80-3) this is a more "balanced" recording than the Sterling recording but the two CDs offer a dual capture of this rewarding composer.

Si te gustan los conciertos para piano de Grieg o Rachmaninoff, entonces es probable que disfrutar de este concierto de Atterberg.

Excellent