[ Chandos Classics / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 27 August 2004
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Chandos has made Hummel something of a speciality, and has now come up with some bravoura concertante works for violin, viola and piano. The young soloist James Ehnes is noted for the brilliance of his violin playing, and here he makes his debut as violist in the Potpourri - as well as appearing for the first time on Chandos Records. Howard Shelley - a seasoned Chandos artist - has made several outstanding recordings of Hummel for Chandos, and here adds another.
"One of the most highly regarded composers during his life (1778-1837), Hummel's reputation has suffered neglect ever since. Chandos and Hyperion are now at the vanguard of a revival; this is a delightful collection of mainly concertante pieces, including the first recording of the Violin Concerto - if you like Mendelssohn's concertos, the charm of this one should captivate you."
- Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine (AWARDS ISSUE 2004)
'This is music to lift the spirits, all of it crafted with Hummel's infallible taste, grace and unpretentious early Romantic sensibility... As on previous discs in this Chandos series, the playing is beautifully judged in scale, neither understating the music's virtues not over-egging its charm.'
- The Telegraph
1 Potpourri (mit Fantasie), Op. 94* 18:42
For viola and orchestra in G minor
Edited by Franz Beyer
Grave - Andante con moto - Allegro con brio -
Adagio and Rondo alla Polacca† 10:38
For violin and orchestra in A major
Edited by Stephen Hogger and Howard Shelley
(premiere recording)
2 Adago con moto - 2:08
3 Rondo alla Polacca 8:29
Variations, Op. 115 15:07
On a theme from the Berlin 'Singspiel' Das Fest der Handwerker'
For piano and orchestra in B flat major
Edited by Stephen Hogger and Howard Shelley
(premiere recording)
4 Larghetto - 1:53
5 Allegretto - Larghetto - 9:10
6 Finale. Vivace 4:02
Violin Concerto† 21:40
in G major (premiere recording)
Edited and completed by Stephen Hogger and Howard Shelley
7 I Allegro risoluto - Rallantando 10:46
8 II Adagio 2:40
9 III Rondo 8:12