CLARA SCHUMANN
Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto & works by Hiller, Herz & Kalkbrenner Howard Shelley (piano & conductor) / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 78 / CD - released 29/Mar/2019 ] "All told, another worthy entry in Hyperion's valuable Romantic Piano Concerto series." ClassicsToday |
STEPHAN ELMAS
Elmas: Piano Concertos Howard Shelley (piano), Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra / Howard Shelley [ Hyperion Great Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 82 / CD - released 8/Jan/2021 ] If the warmly Romantic bloom on these concertos suggests the spirit of an earlier generation-both works date from the 1880s-the music of Stéphan Elmas retains its own distinctive voice, a voice heard to best advantage in Howard Shelley's persuasive... |
SIR LENNOX BERKELEY
Berkeley: Piano Concerto,Op. 29 in B flat major / Berkeley, Michael-Gethsemane Fragment; Four Poems of St Teresa of Avila, Op. 27 Catherine Wyn-Rogers (contralto) Celia Craig (cor anglais) Howard Shelley (piano) / BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Richard Hickox [ Chandos Berkeley Edition Vol 5 / CD - released 6/Dec/2004 ] "This eloquent father-and-son series restores the scintillating concerto." Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine (February 2005) |
SIR MICHAEL TIPPETT
Tippett: Symphony No. 4, Fantasia Concertante & Fantasia on a Theme of Handel Howard Shelley (piano) / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hickox [ Chandos / CD ] Penguin Guide 3 Star Awarded for general excellence of the disc |
GEORG BENDA
Benda: Piano Concertos Howard Shelley (piano/conductor) / London Mozart Players [ Hyperion The Classical Piano Concerto Vol 8 / CD - released 1/Oct/2021 ] 'It's almost a commonplace to remark upon Shelley's unstinting advocacy of all‑but-forgotten and sometimes rather inconsequential music. That's to do Benda a disservice, however … where these works really score … is in the slow movements' Gramophone |
MENDELSSOHN
The Complete Solo Piano Music, Vol. 4 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 31/Dec/2015 ] The Op 35 set of Preludes and Fugues is the most substantial single opus Mendelssohn wrote for solo piano, a mark of his reverence for the mighty Bach. |
HENRI HERZ
Herz: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 74 / Grande fantaisie militaire sur La fille du régiment, Op. 163 / etc Howard Shelley (piano and conductor) / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 66 / CD - released 25/Jul/2015 ] "Shelley by turns charms and dazzles…unless your doctor has prescribed some strict froth-free diet (and how tedious would that be) I can heartily recommend a dose of Herz." Gramophone |
HENRI HERZ
Piano Concerto Nos. 1, 7, & 8 Howard Shelley (piano and conductor) / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 35 / CD - released 13/Jul/2004 ] 'Shelley and the Tasmanians are persuasive advocates for these three piano concertos: this is charming, tuneful music, deftly orchestrated by a man who obviously knew his Chopin, Rossini and, in the nocturne-like slow moverments, John Field' - The... |
KENNETH LEIGHTON
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Leighton: Orchestral works Vol 3 (Incls 'Symphony No 1') Howard Shelley (piano) / BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Martyn Brabbins [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Mar/2011 ] "Shelley proves a marvellously stylish, involving exponent and is backed to the hilt by Brabbins and the BBC NOW. Chandos's sound and balance, too, are beyond reproach." (Gramophone) |
CYRIL SCOTT
Scott: Piano Concerto No.1 / Symphony No.4 Howard Shelley (piano) / BBC Philharmonic / Martyn Brabbins [ Chandos / CD - released 8/May/2006 ] 'Scott's scoring is extravagant but lucid, his harmony sensuous and involving, and his structures are free but controlled… This is a CD of terrific music, its demands comprehensively met by the musicians, and the recording' International Record Review |
FRANCIS EDWARD BACHE / STERNDALE BENNETT
Bache / Sterndale Bennett: Piano Concertos Howard Shelley (piano) / BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto Vol 43 / CD - released 2/Nov/2007 ] "This recording demands recognition for three reasons. Firstly that the best of early nineteenth century music holds up well against virtually anything written elsewhere. Secondly that Sterndale Bennett and Bache are composers who are totally worthy... |
THOMAS TELLEFSEN / FRIEDRICH KALKBRENNER
Tellefsen & Kalkbrenner: Piano Concertos Howard Shelley (piano), Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra [ Hyperion / CD - released 16/Feb/2024 ] A fascinating new name bursts into our Romantic Piano series with the two concertos by Thomas Tellefsen, here coupled with an extended concert piece by series stalwart Friedrich Kalkbrenner. All three works here enjoy Howard Shelley's trademark... |
RACHMANINOV
Piano Concertos Nos 1-4 / Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Howard Shelley (piano) / Scottish National Orchestra / Bryden Thomson (conductor) [ Chandos 241 / 2 CD - released 20/Dec/2005 ] "The Second Concerto's finale easily holds its ground in the proverbial dazzle department, and the Third is a master-class in poise and proportion." (ClassicsToday) |
AUGUSTE DUPONT / PETER BENOIT
Dupont & Benoit: Piano Concertos Howard Shelley (piano), Sinfonieorchester St Gallen, Howard Shelley (conductor) [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto Vol 80 / CD - released 31/Jan/2020 ] 'In the hands of a master like Howard Shelley, there is never going to be a chance of the music or performer running out of steam. Equally, the Sinfonieorchester St Gallen is on first-class form.' MusicWeb |
CIPRIANI POTTER
Potter: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 4 Howard Shelley (piano & conductor), Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra [ Hyperion The Romantic Piano Concerto Vol 72 / CD - released 28/Jul/2017 ] "Add to that his simultaneous and complete control of his fine Tasmanian players, I cannot think of another musician who is Shelley's equal in this dual role" Gramophone Magazine, August 2017 |
JOHANN PETER PIXIS / SIGISMOND THALBERG
Pixis/Thalberg: Piano Concertos Howard Shelley (piano) / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Howard Shelley (conductor) [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 58 / CD - released 1/Nov/2012 ] 'Howard Shelley gives us fine performances. There's exquisite filigree in the Pixis, while the Thalberg has swagger and panache' (The Guardian) |
WILHELM TAUBERT / JACOB ROSENHAIN
Taubert/Rosenhain: Piano Concertos Howard Shelley (piano/conductor) / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 51 / CD - released 20/Aug/2010 ] "...for those who delight in sparkling virtuoso display, the two outer movements of Rosenhain's concerto will not disappoint, but it is the slow movement that provides the most oustanding movement of the disc." Gramophone |
JULIUS BENEDICT
Benedict: Piano Concertos (with Walter Macfarren - Concertstuck in E minor) Howard Shelley (piano) / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra / Howard Shelley (conductor) [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto Vo 48 / CD - released 20/Jun/2009 ] With Volume 48 of our groundbreaking Romantic Piano Concerto series we reach very uncharted territory indeed. Sir Julius Benedict has been all but forgotten today but he is yet another composer who gives the lie to the idea that Britain was 'a land... |
ALOYS SCHMITT
Schmitt: Piano Concertos / Rondeau brilliant Howard Shelley (piano) / Ulster Orchestra / Howard Shelley [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto Vol 84 / CD - released 1/Jul/2022 ] Great Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 84. Composer and conductor, pianist and pedagogue: Aloys Schmitt (1788-1866) was respected by his peers and largely forgotten by posterity. As so often in this series, the three works recorded here will have... |
JOHANN NEPOMUK HUMMEL
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Hummel: Potpourri, Op. 94 / Adagio and Rondo alla Polacca / Variations, Op. 115 / Violin Concerto in G James Ehnes (violin & viola) / London Mozart Players / Howard Shelley, piano & conductor [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 27/Aug/2004 ] "One of the most highly regarded composers during his life (1778-1837), Hummel's reputation has suffered neglect ever since...f you like Mendelssohn's concertos, the charm of this one should captivate you." - Editor's Choice - Gramophone 2004 |
MALCOLM WILLIAMSON
Williamson: The Complete Piano Concertos Piers Lane (piano) / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Howard Shelley [ Hyperio / 2 CD - released 3/Mar/2014 ] "Lane is the tireless soloist, crisply percussive or touchingly lyrical as required, and Howard Shelley conducts with efficiency and conviction." BBC Music |
CHARLES GOUNOD
Gounod: The complete works for pedal piano & orchestra Roberto Prosseda (pedal piano) / Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Howard Shelley [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 62 / CD - released 20/Oct/2013 ] "Prosseda seems to have full command of his unwieldy instrument and manages to make Gounod's music sing and dance in a lively fashion. Howard Shelley, who trades his piano for the podium, is an able accompanist" (AudAud.com) |
EDMUND RUBBRA
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Rubbra: Symphony No. 1, Op. 44, etc. Howard Shelley (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Richard Hickox [ Chandos / CD ] It was not until 1937 that Rubbra's first symphony was completed. Symphonies 2, 3 and 4 followed in quick succession, the fourth being completed in March 1942. |
FERDINAND HILLER
Hiller: Piano Concertos Nos 1-3 Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Howard Shelley (piano & conductor) [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto Vo 45 / CD - released 30/Apr/2008 ] "The indefatigable Shelley puts us in his debt again by uncovering these gems." (Editor's Choice Gramophone June 2008) |
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Britten: Violin Concoerto / Piano Concerto Tasmin Little (violin) Howard Shelley (piano) / BBC Philharmonic, Edward Gardner [ Chandos / CD - released 19/Jul/2013 ] Gramophone Magazine - Disc of the Month - May 2013 |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Vaughan Williams: Concertos & String Music Howard Shelley (piano) David Theodore (oboe) Kenneth Sillito (piano) / London Symphony Orchestra, Bryden Thomson [ Chandos / 2 CD Box Set ] The perfect introduction to the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams |
ALUN HODDINOTT / FRANK BRIDGE / E.J. MOREAN / ALAN RAWSTHORNE / etc
British Piano Concertos David Wilde, Philip Fowke, Malcolm Binns, Howard Shelley, Peter Wallfisch (piano) / London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, New Philharmonia, etc [ Lyrita / 4 CD Box Set - released 25/Jun/2015 ] "A set of 'British Piano Concertos' compiled from the Lyrita catalogue is a very tempting proposition…[the] sound is consistently excellent, the notes are informative and at a budget price, it's an extremely attractive way of acquiring a lot of... |
HUMMEL
Piano Concerto in E major / Double Concerto Hagai Shaham (piano) / London Mozart Players / Howard Shelley (piano/director) with Hagai Shaham (violin) [ Chandos / CD - released 6/Apr/2008 ] 'Shelley… is outstanding in this music, synthesizing the classical and romantic elements perfectly.A natural Mozartian, he allies his poise and clarity to a fearless technique, and absorbs Hummels most ostentatious demands into the musical fabric,... |
CLEMENTI
Complete Piano Sonatas Vol 1 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 20/Feb/2008 ] 'Listening to this opener in Howard Shelley's complete cycle, recorded on a pristine-sounding modern piano, it is hard to imagine anyone else ever making them sound better … Shelley reveals this by treating each and every one of these works with the... |
JOHANN BAPTIST CRAMER
Cramer: Piano Concertos Nos 1, 3 & 6 Howard Shelley (piano/conductor), London Mozart Players [ Hyperion The Classical Piano Concerto Vol 7 / CD - released 2/Oct/2020 ] "the immaculate playing here is alert and personable in a way that transcends contentious issues of style." BBC Music |
JOHANN BAPTIST CRAMER
Cramer: Piano Concertos Nos 4 & 5 Howard Shelley (piano/conductor), London Mozart Players [ Hyperion The Classical Piano Concerto Vol 6 / CD - released 28/Jun/2019 ] Listening to these fluent, expressive performances, it's difficult to see how even Cramer-one of the great virtuosos of his day-could have matched the effortless mastery so characteristic of Howard Shelley's pianism. |
CLEMENTI
Capriccios & Variations Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 20/Sep/2011 ] "Even the slightest, most trivial pieces are enhanced by Howard Shelley's brisk tempos, and he's served by an infallible technique, from virtuoso finger-dexterity to deeply expressive, spacious reflection elsewhere." (Five Stars BBC Music) |
CLEMENTI
Complete Piano Sonatas Vol 2 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 20/Sep/2008 ] |
CLEMENTI
Complete Piano Sonatas Vol 3 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 20/May/2009 ] 'Shelley's third volume makes abundantly clear that Clementi at best was an outstanding composer … He's well served by lively and immediate recording' (BBC Music Magazine) |
CLEMENTI
Complete Piano Sonatas Vol 4 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 20/Oct/2009 ] Howard Shelley's splendid series of Clementi's complete piano sonatas continues with a fourth volume containing some of the composer's most important works. |
CLEMENTI
Complete Piano Sonatas Vol 5 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 20/May/2010 ] "...there is nothing to reproach [Shelley] for in any of these performances, which, as ever in this series, are clearly played, intelligently detailed and perfectly recorded." Gramophone Magazine: Editor's Choice - July 2010 |
CLEMENTI
Complete Piano Sonatas Vol 6 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 20/Sep/2008 ] 'This is a most attractive and sparkling account on Clement's final sonatas and brings to a satisfying conclusion Howard Shelley's survey of Clementi… the sound captured on the recording more than lives up to expectations' (International Record Review) |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN
Mendelssohn: The Complete Solo Piano Music, Vol. 1 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Feb/2013 ] "it's good to see Howard Shelley embarking on a six-volume reappraisal of these works, so often seen as lacking the depth of Chopin and the fire of Liszt. Fans of fireworks won't be disappointed though...With playing of this quality this is going to... |
MENDELSSOHN
The Complete Solo Piano Music, Vol. 2 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 20/Jun/2014 ] Shelley here presents the second instalment of a six-volume set of Mendelssohn's complete solo piano music-perhaps the least well-known part of the composer's repertoire. |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN
Mendelssohn: The Complete Solo Piano Music, Vol. 3 Howard Shelley (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Oct/2015 ] "Mendelssohn and Howard Shelley are a musical marriage made in heaven. Stylish and delectably light-fingered, Shelley makes a flawless case in Vol 3 of his [Complete Solo Piano Music of Mendelssohn]…if anyone can persuade us of Mendelssohn's quality |