Bortkiewicz - Piano Concertos 2 & 3 | Piano Classics PCL10146

Bortkiewicz - Piano Concertos 2 & 3

Label: Piano Classics

Cat No: PCL10146

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Orchestral

Release Date: 16th March 2018

Contents

Artists

Stefan Doniga (piano)
Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor

David Porcelijn

Works

Bortkiewicz, Sergei

Piano Concerto no.2, op.28 (for the left hand)
Piano Concerto no.3 'Per Aspera ad Astra', op.32

Artists

Stefan Doniga (piano)
Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor

David Porcelijn

About

Recent years have seen a slow but steady revival of the music of Sergei Bortkiewicz (1877‐1952), Ukrainian composer and pianist, oppressed by the Nazis and Soviets, refugee and survivor of two World Wars, composer of wonderfully rich, appealing and colourful music in the Romantic tradition of Chopin, Liszt and early Scriabin.

This CD contains the Second and Third piano concertos. The Second Piano Concerto is for the left hand, written for pianist Paul Wittgenstein who lost his right arm in World War I. It was Wittgenstein’s favourite concerto of the many works he commissioned (among others by Ravel).

The Third Piano Concerto, written in 1926, is headed “Per aspera ad astra” (through hardship to the stars), which is presented in the gradual unfolding from a dark C minor to a high and luminous C major at the end of the work, including organ and bells, the affirmation of light conquering darkness.

Excellent performances by pianist Stefan Doniga and the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by David Porcelijn.

“Stefan Doniga drives the music onward fearlessly and make the best possible case for both works” – Gramophone

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