It’s my favorite cello concerto along with the Dvorak B minor - a poignantly beautiful (that slow movement!!), dramatic, and virtuosic work. In fact, I’m currently learning it for my graduate recital! If you haven’t heard other recordings of the work besides the Wallfisch (Paul Watkins on Chandos, Tim Hugh on Naxos, and a young Yo-Yo Ma on Lyrita), I definitely recommend them and prefer them all to Wallfisch’s account.
Great list here...I especially love the Bloch concerto, what a savage, yet succulent masterpiece!!! As for my own two cents on this topic, I chose 5 concertos that are rather well known by performers of the featured instrument, but aren't so well known by the regular concert going/recorded buying public...because they are in fact, underplayed: 1. Hovhaness Concerto for Harp and String Orchestra...this is a mesmerizing piece in that modal world that Hovhaness inhabits so effortlessly and would be worth anyone's time 2. Arnold Harmonica Concerto...this is such a charming little masterpiece that manages to be idiomatic for the unusual instrument and yet symphonic at the same time. The tune from the first movement stays in your head for hours and it's also unique for not having any woodwinds in the scoring to allow the harmonica to cut through and it does! 3. Villa Lobos Guitar Concerto...well known among classical guitarists, most people don't know it however, and it is brilliant! His endless melodic invention coupled with spicy harmonies and imaginative orchestration make it a must hear imho 4. Ibert Concertino da Camera for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra...another breath of fresh air, scored to perfection...you really hear how well the sax works both in dialogue and in combination with the winds and brass throughout...it's like Vivaldi meets Gershwin, scored by a Frenchman, fantastic!!! 5. Rouse Trombone Concerto...this one, unlike the first 4 on the list, is scored for a massive Orchestra and is intended to be super serious in tone, and it sure is...but what a journey! The middle movement is terrifying and the outer movements are so somber yet touching and genuinely moving at times...with a ton of great Tam Tam writing as well...check these out!!!
Hear hear for the Ibert! As a frustrated saxophonist, I consider it the best concertante work for the instrument, despite it being of chamber size ... no other such works I've encountered are so well scored (as you say) but also so formally concise and logical! Plus genuinely memorable material - one of the most perfect works ever written, for any instrumental combination!
I vote for Moszkowski's Piano Concerto. Having become aquainted with its tuneful lusciousness and joie de vivre, i gave several copies to friends, and always received delighted responses.
I completely agree. I became obsessed with this piece after hearing it for the first time. My favorite recording is the one from Naxos with Antoni Wit (of Mahler 8 fame).
@@johnwaring6443 Don't be sorry! I got excited thinking I might have been bringing news to you that Moszkowski wrote a 2nd piano concerto that you didn't know about! 🤣His B Minor is actually my favorite of the two, but I love the E major Op.59 SO MUCH also.
@@briang7942 Same, with Marcus Pawlik as pianist. It's the recording I imprinted on, although I'm not a fan of Wit's Mahler 8 recording. I love Piers Lane and most of his albums on Hyperion, but I'm really not a fan of his Moszkowski Op.59. It's gotta be that Naxos recording or the classic David Bar Illan recording IMO, I enjoy both.
You did an early video about Schulhoff that led me to discover this piano concerto, and I'm so glad it did. Of all the music I've discovered through your channel - and there's quite a bit - it's the piece I listen to most often. I love it!
Nielsen's violin concerto, with its' gorgeous bracing tune and misplaced accents in the expansive first movement, and the disarmingly delightful finale
It's got a beautifully poignant tune in the first movement (though underused), but I find the second movement is much too long and padded out with busyness.
Wow, William Mathias! I don't know that I've heard him mentioned on this channel before. His piano concertos are fabulous, too, but the harp concerto is special. That Bloch concerto is stunning. Nice shout-outs to Finzi & RVW, too. I'd toss in John Ireland's gorgeous Piano Concerto & Jacques Ibert's Flute Concerto.
I strongly second the Scharwenka Piano Concertos, mentioned by others here, particularly Nos. 1 (Wild and Hamelin recordings) and 4 (Hough recording). These could be a welcome substitute for the Rachmaninoff concertos, which I love as much as anyone (particularly 4 and the Rhapsody) but have been overplayed during the Rachmaninoff anniversary year of 2023. Scharwenka 4 was performed live by Hough a few times around the album release but I don't believe he's done it recently. It's such an exciting piece. Anton Rubinstein 4 used to be quite popular as well and is worthy of revival (it's paired with Scharwenka 1 on Hamelin's album). It seems that this repertoire niche is now entirely occupied by Rachmaninoff. The two fingerbuster late romantic/early modern concertos that everyone plays are Rach 3 and Prok 2. And of course Tchaik 1 and Rach 2 are perennially performed, though they are slightly less difficult technically. Are these better pieces than Scharwenka and Rubinstein? Probably so, but let's hear some more variety! I don't believe anyone has yet mentioned Reynaldo Hahn's gorgeous Piano Concerto, which opens with a beautiful solo, lyrical and slightly cheesy. It owes a great deal to Saint-Saëns, as one might expect, but has its own unique character as well. I suppose the piece is not outwardly virtuosic enough for many pianists today. I got to know it via the Coombs recording (thanks again to Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto series) and there is a great new recording out this year from William Youn. Thanks to Dave for mentioning the Anderson Piano Concerto; I was completely unaware of its existence and just listened. What a delightful and fun piece!
My pick is Gavin Bryars' 2nd bass concerto "Farewell to St Petersburg"... it's probably underplayed simply from being a recently written bass concerto lmao but it's so moving with this very stoic sense of melancholy. It's also beautifully orchestrated with a bass choir that sings a text taken from the glinka song cycle with the same name
Have a lot of time for Bryars, after hearing his song cycle Adnan Songbook - melodically gorgeous and the way he uses the instrumental ensemble that accompanies is little short of masterly. Cheers
Great list, and agree completely with the Saint-Saëns 3rd which I first heard on recording in the early '90s. Along with the great opening, it has a barn-storming finale. Also agree completely with the Anderson and Vaughn Williams concertos. Hope to hear all of them live, just once, before I die. I got to hear the Prokofiev 5th with the Atlanta Symphony in Jan. 2011 with Juho Pohjonen as soloist. I've got some other listening and re-listening to do on this list.
Scharwenka's 1st piano concerto and the piano concerto by Paderewski are both worthy of revival. We need someone like the late Earl Wild to champion pieces such as these.
Absolutely phenomenal recording of an incredibly underrated piano concerto. Paired with the Von Sauer if I remember correctly; I believe Hyperion is releasing a recording of Sauer's 2nd piano concerto in the coming months too.
@@kylejohnson8877 Same, it was one of the first Hyperion albums I purchased and it's still one of their best IMO. I own *almost* every single album from the Romantic Piano Concerto series on Hyperion, and a few other standout releases from this series that you might know, but *possibly* have flown under your radar (in chronological order of the album release dates): - Henselt - Piano Concerto in F Minor, Op.16 (Marc-Andre Hamelin / RPC #7) - Kullak - Piano Concerto in C Minor, Op.55 (Piers Lane / RPC #21) - Holbrooke - Piano Concerto #1, Op.52 (Hamish Milne / RPC #23) - Lyapunov - Piano Concerto #1 in Eb Minor, Op.4 (Hamish Milne/ RPC #30) - Zelenski - Piano Concerto in Eb Major, Op.60 (Jonathan Plowright / RPC #59) - Moszkowski - Piano Concerto in B Minor, Op.3 (Ludmil Angelov / RPC #68) - Paderewski - Fantaisie Polonaise, Op.19 (Jonathan Plowright / RPC #83) If any of these are unfamiliar to you, do yourself a favor and get these albums today- you won't regret it (especially the Kullak and Zelenski). I will note that Dave wrote a rather scathing review of this Holbrooke concerto on his site, I understand there are problems with the piece but I still strongly feel it is criminally underappreciated- it contains one of the most beautiful cadenzas I know of which leads into this spectacular, soaring, romantic finale... I really feel like his review treated this piece unfairly, and it's VERY much a sleeper release in this series... Also, the H. Wood piano concerto it's paired with contains one of the most spectacular introductions of any piece of music I know of- very much reminds me of the intro to the Busoni piano concerto. Give it a shot, it might surprise you; but the Kullak and Zelenski are NOT to be missed! They're both right up there with Scharwenka #4 and Sauer #1 IMO. The Paderewski Op.19 is another particularly high quality composition... Anyway LMK if you're already familiar with any of this, and if not tell me what you think after listening. I'm sure you'll love them all TBH.
@@kingconcerto5860 thank you for the recommendations! Of the works you list, I know the Holbrooke and the Paderewski (his A minor concerto is also wonderful), both of which I enjoy very much. Do you know the Alnæs Piano Concerto (coupled with the rather less interesting Sinding concerto on Vol. 12 of the RPC series)? It’s a glorious work in my view, imbued with a life-affirming spirit (though the slow movement is almost tragic at times) and memorable tunes. The secondary theme of the finale remarkably anticipates the famous 18th variation from Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody by a good 20 years!
@@kylejohnson8877 Most certainly! I'm sure you'll love them, those are pretty much all of my top releases from that series. I'm actually quite surprised that you don't know the Moszkowski or Henselt if you know the Paderewski and Holbrooke... Yes, I do have that Alnaes + Sinding album. I do recall enjoying it a lot, although I've only heard it once or twice and it's been a few years (likely because it was part of a very large music purchase, and I think discovered something else in that round of purchases that blew me away so the Alnaes didn't get the proper attention of repeated listening over a few weeks). I'll give it another listen today, it's due. Any other standout releases along with the Alnaes from the RPC series for you? I have another post here somewhere with other great piano concerti recordings that aren't on Hyperion, these recommendations can get really long really quickly so I'll just leave you with one more in addition to the Hyperion albums I've already mentioned- the *Vittorio Giannini piano concerto* (Imreh/Bournemouth Symphony/Naxos). You'll *definitely* want to check this one out, trust me. Finally, I mentioned it previously but really just want to reiterate that the Kullak and Zelenski piano concerti should not be missed under any circumstances, lol. The Kullak is very reminiscent of the Thalberg Op.5 piano concerto, but I think the Kullak is a much stronger work. The Zelenski is Jonathan Plowright doing what he does best- advocating the beauty of the late-romantic Polish piano concerto in the most convincing way possible, and I think the Zelenski concerto really represents the pinnacle of that genre along with Paderewski's greatest masterpieces. Plowright is SUCH an underrated pianist, perhaps because of this highly specialized repertoire but every one of his Paderewski recordings has surpassed the Earl Wild recordings IMO, which were previously the reference recordings in this genre. Enjoy, and feel free to send any more of your recommendations my way because I promise I will devour them all.
Many of these concerti have only received one recording on Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto series, but here are a handful off the top of my head - Kullak - Piano Concerto in C Minor, Op. 55 Zelenski - Piano Concerto in Eb Major, Op. 60 Medtner - Piano Concerto #1 in C Minor, Op. 33 Medtner - Piano Concerto #2 in C Minor, Op. 50 Henselt - Piano Concerto in F Minor, Op.16 Scharwenka - Piano Concerto #1 in Bb Minor, Op.32 Scharwenka - Piano Concerto #4 in F Minor, Op.82 Marx- Romantic Piano Concerto in E Major Thalberg - Piano Concerto in F Minor, Op.5 Rubinstein - Piano Concerto #4 in D Minor, Op.70 Moszkowski - Piano Concerto in B Minor, Op.3 Moszkowski - Piano Concerto in E Major, Op.59 Bortkiewicz - Piano Concerto #3 in C Minor, Op.32 Vittorio Giannini - Piano Concerto
This may not be much of a consideration for most of us, but it is for cash- strapped community orchestras. Only one of these 12--SS3--is in the public domain. For my orchestra that puts them out of contention. So over the years, in partial atonement, we've played (considering piano only) SS4, Hummel 2 and 3, Bortkiewicz 1, Moszkowski Op 59, Scharwenka 1 and 4, Tch 2 and 3, R-K, J. Wieniawski, and a particular charmer, #2 in c-minor by Stanford. Oh--and Busoni. Next season brings Borowski and d'Albert. Dave, your advocacy of underplayed (or unplayed) works is tremendously appreciated, as is your wealth of knowledge and love of the repertory. We may be out in the sticks ( Saratoga CA) but we try.
We used to play public doman stuff all the time, I believe on loan from the Fleischer Collection in Philadelphia, and fees were generally waived or were very modest, based on the budget of the ensemble. I'm not sure about the situation now. I remember doing an "American in Paris" where the parts rental wasn't a big deal, except that they wanted $400+ for the taxi horns, so I went out and bought my own set at a junk shop for $20 or so and it worked splendidly.
I have had a soft spot for the Violin Concerto Op.8 by Karłowicz, which was the other work on a disc of his Serenade for Strings on the CDM label (soloist Kaja Danczowska, conductor the estimable Antoni Wit). I think Tasmin Little also recorded it (on Hyperion) with Martyn Brabbins. Perhaps, Dave, you could do a quick survey of Karłowicz on CD some time…? Sadly, he died young, so there’s not a huge list works.
Yes! Karlowicz’s Violin Concerto is one of my all-time favorite concerti for the instrument and is full of some glorious tunes. I find it much more appealing than his often gloomy and rather unmemorable (IMO) tone poems.
I’ve noticed that this masterpiece has actually been featured relatively frequently on recent concert programs. On the other hand, I’ve never seen his delightful, sparkling Piano Concerto programmed once!
@@kylejohnson8877 very true, happy to see. Underplayed and underrated don't necessarily line up exactly. The quality, the gigantic burst of inspiration that is that work, relative to it's status makes it still massively underrated to me. It probably is my favorite violin concerto since Bach, but I never see it on lists of the greatest works in the Violin Concerto repetoire. Agree on the Piano Concerto! Way more underplayed and so exciting and interesting.
@@JamesTailor7 Well, in any case, it’s near the top of *my* list of the greatest violin concertos! It’s probably also my favorite work by Britten and one of his most deeply communicative works. He tends to get remembered as a composer primarily of vocal works, but there are many riches to be found amongst his instrumental works as well!
@@JamesTailor7 I can’t claim to have a comprehensive knowledge of the discography of either work, but certainly the Janine Jansen/LSO/Paavo Järvi recording of the Violin Concerto on Decca strikes me as an intensely committed performance. As for the Piano Concerto, it’s hard to imagine the dazzling Steven Osborne/BBC Scottish SO/Ilan Volkov recording on Hyperion being bettered! And it’s wonderfully coupled with Britten’s two other delightfully inventive works for piano and orchestra, “Diversions” and “Young Apollo”.
Happy to see the Bloch on your list. I used to have the LP by Szigeti; a turnabout reissue, I think. Great stuff. As for underplayed concertos, I would add the Martin Violin Concerto and the Scriabin Piano Concerto (a conventional romantic concerto to be sure, but quite lovely).
My list. I don’t really respond to innovation or distinction. I just want tunes or some other hooks to keep my attention. Apologies in advance to those with different criteria. So here goes: Kabalevsky: Piano Concerto no. 3 (the tunes! The tunes!) Glazunov: Saxophone Concerto Bortkiewicz: Piano Concerto no. 2 Paganini: Concertino for horn, bassoon and orchestra (sure, the violin concerto is great too) Kullak: Piano concerto in c minor Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Violin Concerto no. 2 (from Warner’s Mehta box) Medtner: Piano concertos: All three Scharwenka: Piano Concertos: All four are absolute bangers. Lange-Müller: Violin Concerto Czerny: Piano Concerto in d minor Not formally concertos, but works for solo and orchestra: Milhaud: Carnaval d’Aix Tsfasman: Suite for Piano and Orchestra
I love Schoenfield's Four Parables for piano and orchestra. It's the only 20th century concerto that I love. The jazzy parts are very natural and doesn't have the classical-composer-writing-jazz kind of sound. The four movements are supposed to be inspired by real life stories but I haven't felt the need to find out what they are (I first heard this piece before the internet era). There are some moments when the orchestra makes sound that would make your hair stands. I guess they must have been awful events, The last movement, subtitled 'Dog Heaven', is pure unadulterated fun.
Live performance repertoire has become so essentialized to guarantee ticket sales that it's more like visiting a museum than anything else. That's why I just curate listening experiences at home. In my adventures, here are 6 concerti that would be nice to have performed for others to appreciate: 1. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Violin Concerto, Op.80 - I loved it the first time I heard it with Philippe Graffin. 2. Ignacy Paderewski's Piano Concerto, Op.17 - I'm sure it had its moment back in the day, but it is a powerhouse that needs to be reintroduced. 3. Bohuslav Martinů's Cello Concerto No.2, H. 304 - It was Raphael Wallfisch's recording that swept me off my feet. There is a sweep and grandeur that's a knock-out. 4.John Corigliano's Oboe Concerto (1975) - It's intelligent and musically interesting, and fun! 5. Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto Pastoral for Flute (1978) - I think it's the best flute concerto ever written. It's challenging for the performer, it's the perfect length, and immensely listenable. 6. Mark O'Connor's 'Old Brass" Violin Concerto No.6 - It's a sonic representation of Spring for me. The melodies are so lovely, the violin playing is of course virtuosic. The orchestration is not perfect, but it is a pleasure all the way through.
I remember enjoying the Peter Mennin piano concerto, unfortunately a long enough time ago that i can't describe it or set out a justification. But i do remember enjoying it and would like to hear it again.
I listened to the Saint-Saëns 3rd just now, it's indeed quite lovely. My favorite is still the 4th, which I've never seen on any concert program, maddeningly.
For an addition to the list above I nominate Peggy Glanville-Hicks' Etruscan Concerto. As a jazz fan I chanced upon the CD with Dennis Russell Davies conducting the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and Keith Jarret (!) as the soloist. He was perfectly matched to the music as the concerto like his solo performances has a strong propulsive energy. This CD became a gateway drug of sorts causing me to search out other mid-century American composers as well as learning more about them via this channel.
Thank you very much for mentioning Glanville-Hicks - as an Australian, I can't help but feel a tinge of pride! The first movement (my favourite of the three, with one of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard) gets regular play on the A(ustralian)BC Classic radio station, but they don't use the Brooklyn Philharmonic recording - instead opting for our own Caroline Almonte accompanied by the Tasmanian Symphony under Richard Mills (which is a bit more diffuse in sound, although you can actually hear the last note of the movement well unlike with Jarrett et al.). I've often wondered how on earth this thing could be brought into the concert hall ... maybe pairing it with another short-ish Aussie piano concerto (e.g. the neo-Romantic Vine 1st, the terse yet heartfelt Sculthorpe, the buoyant Williamson 2nd)?
Zygmunt Stojowski’s Piano Concerti are well worth considering, especially the Second with its wonderful theme and variations. They are also brilliantly written with unmistakable ingenuity and originality. I will also nominate: -Moeran: Violin Concerto (with a hauntingly beautiful finale) Tchaikovsky: Third Piano Concerto (original and Taneyev's version) -Glazunov: Piano Concerti -Gliere: Conc. for Coloratura & Orch. -Leighton: Cello Concerto (masterful) -Howells: First Piano Concerto -Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto -Weinberg: Cello Concerto -Rubinstein: Fourth Piano Concerto (once a staple) -Bax: Violin Concerto -Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto -Goldmark: Violin Concerto -Lydia Auster: Piano Concerto -Atterberg: Piano Concerto -Tubin: Violin Concerti I & II -Melartin: Violin Concerto -Rakov: Violin Concerto -Taktakishvili: Violin Concertino -Denisov: Viola Concerto -Knipper: Violin Concertino (with a beautiful slow movement)
The Kiel Piano Concerto and Carl Friedrich Abel's Piano Concertos on CPO. I heard the Kiel for the first time, when our college library was first starting to digitize its classical music catalogue. It's a fun piece in the grand style that never gets performed. And no matter what I'm doing, it makes me smile when I put it on. The Abel Concertos are interesting in the fact, that they're in two movements. The CPO release should be a reference recording. The only downside: the soloist uses a harpsichord for the last two.
I agree wholeheartedly with the Saint-Saens recommendation. I’m a relative newcomer to classical music, came across this concerto accidentally and loved it immediately. Then I read somewhere that it is one of his less popular concertos and was rather baffled - apparently it has more “harmonic experimentation” than the others. I like the 2nd and 5th as well but the 3rd should be just as popular in my view.
Garrick Ohlsson played the Martinu with the NY Philharmonic several years ago - it was a wonderful performance. My choice for an underplayed concerto would definitely be Cyril Scott's cello concerto. It is a dark impressionistic work as much of Scott's work is- very mysterious, almost mystical and otherworldly. It's a fascinating piece and to my ears a masterpiece of cello and orchestral writing. Engaging from the very opening to the last notes.
Thank you for suggesting the Saint-Saëns 3 [and, yes, I did have to copy from your blurb in order to get the accent...]. I agree that 1, 3, 4, & 5 all deserve many more concert outings. As an orchestral violinist I have only ever done No 2... I am lucky enough to have all of his concertos [including all 3 violin concertos], and all of them are worth hearing. If you like his Organ Symphony you would like the Piano Concerto No 4, which was in hind sight a sort of trial run for the musical form that Symphony has. If I were to add any I would go for Scharwenka [4 piano], Bortkiewicz [2 piano, a cello, & a violin], and Vieuxtemps [7 violin, though admittedly those are just a tad variable].
I would like to add the violin concerto of William Walton. It's passionate, late-romantic piece sounding at time like old school film music (which is not a bad thing of course). If you love the violin concertos of say Korngold or Barber, then it's highly likely you will like this one as well. There are a number of recordings but I've never seen it programed. Maybe the British play it in concert once in while but not here in continental Europe. Then I would like to add the piano concerto by Arthur Bliss. Another piece that was written in a hopelessly anachronistic style for music written in the 1930s. It sounds like it was written 50 or more years earlier. It's a large scale work of about 35 - 38 minutes. The concerto doesn't have many memorable tunes but it gives the pianist virtuoso opportunities to impress. Would love to see it in concert. Thank god it has been recorded a number of times. Finally I would like to mention Tchaikovsky's 2nd piano concerto. Sure it doesn't have such a catchy tune at the very beginning but besides that it's just as great of a piece as the 1st one.
I wouldn’t say the Bliss PC is “hopelessly anachronistic”. There’s some deliciously piquant and “spicy” harmonies (though never harsh) sprinkled throughout. The heroic first movement boats a particularly thrilling cadenza, near the end of which the timpani comes thundering in!
I very much like Vagn Holmboe Concerto for Cello and Orchestra. I find it wholly characteristic of Holmboe's work -- sharp, dramatic and challenging. Yet, like all of Holmboe's work I find it accessible.
The Rozsa Viola concerto is definitely one I would consider because it’s a dark tuneful work for an instrument that doesn’t have many concertos a violist could pick. On the Anderson Piano Concerto, I agree it should be played in a regular concert. It may have “pop” tunes, but he could use them in a serious form, and it works. Program it with the Chopin Variations on “Là ci darem la mano” for a first or second half of the concert. Who would not have a good time with that program? Paul D. Hattiesburg, Mississippi
I'm thinking of Respighi's Concerto gregoriano for violin and orchestra. It really should be better known. It exudes lyricism rather than virtuosism, a very meditative, consoling piece of music, only in the 3rd mov. there's more vigour. It's written using church modes (I think). Overall, a quite lovely composition.
I heartily agree with Dave’s list as well as many other choices suggested by others! I’d like to add two relatively unknown piano concerti that are included in Hyperion’s wonderful Romantic Piano Concerto series - those by Eyvind Alnæs and Emil von Sauer (No. 1). I mean it when I say that these are as fine as any of the standard Romantic concerti - they’re filled to the brim with memorable melodies, sparkling virtuosity, and effective orchestration. If you doubt me, just listen to the incredibly touching slow movement of the von Sauer concerto or the irresistibly spirited waltz-like finale of the Alnæs.
Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in D minor. He wrote this when he was thirteen and it's wonderful. A masterpiece example of the classical period violin concerto so if you like the Mozart concertos, you'll love this one. Richard Strauss's Violin Concerto in D minor. Just a beautiful violin concerto of the straight-forward romantic style very different style than his later works (he wrote it when he was 19, I believe). And you've already commented on this piece before, but I would love to attend a live performance of the Dvorak Piano concerto which is actually my favorite of his concertos (yes, I prefer it over his violin concerto which I like also quite a bit, and his cello concerto which never really moved me). It has some of his most beautiful melodies and I like concertos where it is a balance between the soloist and orchestra.
Your list is a good start, but I'd need look no further than Tchaikovsky to add another example: In my decades of concert going I have never heard a live performance of his 2nd Piano Concerto. His first PC seems to so dominate the category of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerti that the 2nd (and the 3rd -- a one movement fragment) might as well not exist for concert purposes. Thanks to recordings, we can hear both the 2nd and 3rd. The 2nd is, in my opinion, at least equal to the first in quality. Its length probably works against programming it (though a cut version does exist). The Goldmark Violin Concerto is another that I've never heard live. Thanks to Nathan Milstein, I've heard it on record.
The slow movement of the 2nd PC is one of Tchaikovsky’s very finest creations - basically a “mini triple concerto” with its beautiful, extended solos for violin and cello (which are scandalously removed in the cut version).
Glad you brought up the Prokofiev Piano concerto 5. I think it's my favorite out of all 5 Prokofiev Piano Concertos and I think it's a shame it doesn't get performed live as often.
My choice is the Th. Dubois second piano concerto. The adagio is one of the most moving of the piano concertos literature. The young Cédric Tiberghien is its perfect interpreter.
Given the tremendous popularity of the over-played concertos of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, I would like to think at least a couple piano concertos of Anton Rubinstein would get played from time to time. They used to get played quite a bit but have fallen by the wayside. They're even scarce on CD. Same story for the once popular Warsaw Concerto by Addinsell.
I don’t know all these pieces but definitely agree about those I know. I heard Janos Starker play the Hindemith Cello Concerto about 40 years ago; it was great (as was Starker, naturally). Top of my list of ridiculously underplayed concertos is the Miklos Rosza Violin Concerto. At least as good as the Korngold, which is now standard rep (and would be an obvious CD pairing if anyone still made CDs). And he’s right; nobody seems to be doing Schelomo these days, either. I love that piece; it’s interesting for the orchestra, too. And I don’t know Leroy Anderson’s piano concerto, but the piano concerto concert concert rep needs to be expanded; you rarely hear more than the 5 Beethovens, 2 Brahms, 2 Chopins, Prokofiev 2-3, Bartok, Rachmaninov 2-3, and a handful of Mozarts.
Guess I'll add my two cents worth. For me Gian Carlo Menotti's Violin Concerto in A and his Piano Concerto in F is sadly neglected. And I didn't see anyone mention Henryk Wieniawski. I seldom hear his two Violin Concertos anywhere. Such a shame. THANKS DAVE....
Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto No. 3. Shockingly underplayed and underrated. You all should listen to the Gil Shaham / Sinopoli recording on DG. You’ll be glad you did!
It’s quite frequently performed in my experience (deservedly so!), more so than any of his piano concerti. I very much agree with Dave about the criminal neglect of his 3rd PC. Ditto the 1st PC, which is one of the most sunny and tuneful works of the entire 19th century (in the outer movements, anyway).
Artur Honegger wrote a hauntingly beautiful cello concerto(opening theme is instantly memorable for life) that has been well-recorded. You saluted the Christian Poltera recording on Classics Today. Also the Concertino for Piano and Orchestra is another enchanting, scintillating work, equally memorable as the Cello Concerto.
Less than a year ago Dave also did a highly enthusiastic video on a brilliant disc from Johannes Moser of 3 neglected 20th century cello concertos, including the Honegger. Completing the disc are the Hindemith and Martinu 1st concertos.
A bit of trivia about the Prokofiev concerto: Andrew Lloyd Webber snagged the opening theme of the finale for his musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". It appears in the number "The Arrest", accompanying these lines from Caiaphas: Jesus, you must realize The serious charges facing you You say you're the son of God In all your handouts - Well is it true? I'll bet Shostakovich caught this when he saw JCS (twice) in London in 1972.
Two uncommonly wonderful violin concerti that you rarely ever encounter (I have never heard these live0 are the Elgar and the Dvorak Violin concertos.....I could not believe how well written they were when I first encountered them.
The Dvorak Piano Concerto is also a fabulous work. They say pianists hate to play it, though, because he made the left hand part just as difficult as the right hand's part.
Robert Ward's 1968 Piano Concerto's neglect is baffling, considering how acutely attractive the music is - it is extremely tuneful (and the tunes really do stick), beautifully melodic, and it has a wonderfully generous, warmhearted spiritedness to it that is infectious. Marjorie Mitchell's recording of the piece is expertly played, but technically the recording is below par and suffers from balance issues. We are in great need of a new recording. On a more general note, why oh why is Robert Ward so neglected? He composed marvellous music that deserves rescuing from oblivion. Come on Naxos!
Totally agree! The fact that Ward’s music has barely been given any recent recordings is baffling to me. Not even Naxos’ generally wonderful and comprehensive American Classics series has paid any attention to Ward. His warm-hearted, accessible music should appeal to anyone who enjoys Barber and Hanson.
Thank you very much Dave for another video on neglected repertoire! I've decided to hold my suggestions back to see how many of my favourites get mentioned (quite a few!) so, I'll limit myself to five which haven't been mentioned that I think deserve at least the odd concert hall outing: - Arensky's Piano Concerto in f minor, Op. 2: what the Chopin Piano Concerto would be if they were any good ... OK that's cruel, but it's a beautiful, mellifluous work with wonderful tunes. - Finzi's Clarinet Concerto: one of his more gnarly works, but even if the first two movements are too much, just listen to the third and its perfect rondo theme - quintessential Finzi! - Corigliano's Piano Concerto: recommended to me last year by pianist and composer Ian Munro as a model of the 'contemporary' piano concerto. He was right. That motto theme! - Emerson's Piano Concerto: one of the most coolly (strangely?) proportioned piano concerti ever, but again - great tunes, relatively easy for the soloist, and doesn't outstay its welcome. - Kelder's Saxophone Concerto No. 1: a very recent work which has great tunes, and borrows very freely from film music, jazz and popular idioms. Toe-tappingly fun, with a crazy cadenza!
I like the bassoon, but there are only two and a half major bassoon concertos: Weber, Hummel (and Mozart). My concert would be Freischütz overture and bassoon concerto by Weber on the first half, and maybe Raff 6 "Im Walde" on the second half.
I think both Prokofiev's and Bartok's first violin concertos are much more beautiful than their second violin concertos, but the seconds are the ones that get played.
As far as piano concerti go, I feel that the Moszkowski E Major Concerto could be more popular that the Tchaik. 1st -- if anyone would ever play it, that is. And in the last edition of the Cliburn Competition, the finalists were allowed to choose a concerto that would pair with a Mozart concerto (also of their choice). The one American who was a finalist chose the Gershwin, to which he added some fun embellishments (not in the score, but very much in the spirit of Gerswhin). HOWEVER, if he wanted to represent American composers with that which I consider THE "Great American Piano Concerto", he would possibly have won the competition by playing the Barber. It's interesting because Barber's Violin Concerto does pop up fairly regularly on concert programs, but hardly anyone plays his piano concerto. Maybe it's too hard?
One of Alfred Brendel's first recordings for Vox was the Prokofiev 5. Picture that. As for concertos....from the Planet Baxia....the Bax violin concerto. I know of only 2 recordings.....
There's three recordings of the Bax, but only the Mordkovitch/Thomson one is in modern sound. It should be recorded much more. I had hoped that Tamsin Little would record it for her British concertos albums, but she retired after just two albums. A shame.
I have to shout out a recent discovery for me. It’s the Novák Concentus Biiugis, a concerto for piano 4-hands and orchestra. There’s a recent recording on Supraphon and it’s a delightful piece.
Here is a suggestion for another video : 10 best tunesmith composer everrrrr. I would include Dvorak (No.1 !), Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mozart, Schubert and Grieg. And as contenders Prokofiev and Poulenc
Think also the Walton cello concerto and Saint-Saens cello concerto (both of them nr 1 and 2 )are underplayed, though not ridicouloussly uderplayed...Walton is a masterpiece , almost like star wars movie music in its excitement with a fantastic orchestration and beautifully lyric cello lines, I always get goose bumps when the melody of the first returns in the end of the piece🙏
The Himdemith cello concerto u mentioned was considered by Paul Tortelier to be among the five great ones...I think the reason for its less popularity might be the leght ( longish ) and eventhough a beautiful second movement the first is perhaps too marchial in it manner🙄
Dave did not forget it.. he cited its extreme brevity as a reason for its rarity in the concert hall. I'm a big Roussel fan, but have never even heard it on disc.
I know this sounds crazy but I wish the Glazunov Saxophone Concerto received more regular performances. It’s a lovely piece and doesn’t require much in the way of time and forces. Plus it gives us poor saxophonist a little love from the classical community.
Good items noted this discussion. Around 10-12 years ago I was happy to see Garrick Ohlsson play the Prokofiev 5th Concerto in Philadelphia with Noseda guest conducting. He played the difficult piano part elegantly and seemingly effortlessly, in contrast to the fierceness of Richter's recording. The Philly audience loved it. It is a great concerto but has always been a difficult sell. In his notebooks Richter said that Prokofiev asked him to learn & perform it (in 1937) as it had been notably unsuccessful back then, either. Richter said it was 18 years before he played it again.
Great list! I'd add Khachaturian's piano and violin concertos, both of which have evaded me in my years of concert-going in London. Would love to heard them live some day. It gets some playing but Britten's piano concerto is also underplayed, even here!
I tend to think Saint Sean's is underplayed anyway. He wrote some amazing music . Is it because he was French? Much like Cesar Frank (who was Belgian btw) . And the German fraternity just didn't want to expose french music during the 19 th century..
Can I put in a word for the truly marvellous concerti by the visionary composer, Dussek? His work often looks forward to composers such as Brahms! I should particularly like to perform the great concerto for 2 pianos.
Johann Albrechtsberger, besides being one of Beethoven's music teachers, composed his concerto to alto trombone in 1759. Although rarely performed, is a delightful work with nice interplay of soloist and orchestra.
I'd argue for the fantastic, gloriously unique Weinberg cello and violin concertos (there seems to have been a little run of recordings of the cello one 10 or 15 years ago, but the violin... nothing.)
I have a fairly recent recording of the violin concerto by Linus Roth. It's a gritty, astringent piece with little of the lyrical warmth of the gorgeous cello concerto.
@@timothybridgewater5795 Yeah, the Cello Concerto is uncommonly approachable and instantly lovable amongst Weinberg’s works. Much of his other music can be rather austere and grey, but is sometimes worth the effort.
Garrick Ohlsson performed Prokofieff PC 5 with the Philadelphia before the pandemic. (Can one assume that he performed it elsewhere that season?) O believe I saw that Yuja Wang was scheduled to perform it also. Not that it matters now, but as a fledgling choreographer with the Joffrey Ballet, when it was at home in NYC, before moving to Chicago, Eliot Feld created a ballet to Prokofieff PC 5 that was a sensation, 50 years ago. A great piece of music. Beautiful slow movement.
I'll give a vote to the piano Concertino by John Alden Carpenter, with an amazingly prescient (1915) use of blues elements in the slow movement. There's really nothing "ino" about it except when first written it didn't have a cadenza (Carpenter later wrote one, but it's not used on the only recording I'm aware of). It was apparently a favorite piece of Percy Grainger, who played it often.
I hope you're proud of me, Dave - I have performed both Saint Saens 3 and the Anderson concerto! I always loved Saint Saens 3. Can I put in a word for the Pierne piano concerto as well?
The 2nd is wonderful, but my favorite is the glorious 3rd. Medtner is often dismissed as being an inferior melodist to Rachmaninoff, but the nostalgic, waltz-like tune in the finale of the 3rd PC sure gives Sergei a run for his money! There’s a great recording of the work on BIS with pianist Evgeny Sudbin and the Bergen PO under Andrew Litton, and it’s coupled with Scriabin’s beautiful, underplayed concerto.
@@ruramikael Indeed--my three favorites as well. He also has a superb and very Mozartian mandolin concerto. Sadly, the figurines are vastly more celebrated than the composer.
Glazunov is another composer that will compose either great works Ballade op.78 his violin concerto and complete duds....too much sipping of vodka while instructing at the conservatory....his piano concerto op.100 sounds like it was composed by Rachmaninoff.....what irony since Glazunov botched conducting symphony 1 by Rachmaninoff
I have always loved the Finzi cello concerto ever since I first heard it on a cassette tape....Rafael Wallfisch performed it quite beautifully.
It’s my favorite cello concerto along with the Dvorak B minor - a poignantly beautiful (that slow movement!!), dramatic, and virtuosic work. In fact, I’m currently learning it for my graduate recital! If you haven’t heard other recordings of the work besides the Wallfisch (Paul Watkins on Chandos, Tim Hugh on Naxos, and a young Yo-Yo Ma on Lyrita), I definitely recommend them and prefer them all to Wallfisch’s account.
Great list here...I especially love the Bloch concerto, what a savage, yet succulent masterpiece!!! As for my own two cents on this topic, I chose 5 concertos that are rather well known by performers of the featured instrument, but aren't so well known by the regular concert going/recorded buying public...because they are in fact, underplayed:
1. Hovhaness Concerto for Harp and String Orchestra...this is a mesmerizing piece in that modal world that Hovhaness inhabits so effortlessly and would be worth anyone's time
2. Arnold Harmonica Concerto...this is such a charming little masterpiece that manages to be idiomatic for the unusual instrument and yet symphonic at the same time. The tune from the first movement stays in your head for hours and it's also unique for not having any woodwinds in the scoring to allow the harmonica to cut through and it does!
3. Villa Lobos Guitar Concerto...well known among classical guitarists, most people don't know it however, and it is brilliant! His endless melodic invention coupled with spicy harmonies and imaginative orchestration make it a must hear imho
4. Ibert Concertino da Camera for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra...another breath of fresh air, scored to perfection...you really hear how well the sax works both in dialogue and in combination with the winds and brass throughout...it's like Vivaldi meets Gershwin, scored by a Frenchman, fantastic!!!
5. Rouse Trombone Concerto...this one, unlike the first 4 on the list, is scored for a massive Orchestra and is intended to be super serious in tone, and it sure is...but what a journey! The middle movement is terrifying and the outer movements are so somber yet touching and genuinely moving at times...with a ton of great Tam Tam writing as well...check these out!!!
A wonderful selection! Thank you.
Hear hear for the Ibert! As a frustrated saxophonist, I consider it the best concertante work for the instrument, despite it being of chamber size ... no other such works I've encountered are so well scored (as you say) but also so formally concise and logical! Plus genuinely memorable material - one of the most perfect works ever written, for any instrumental combination!
I vote for Moszkowski's Piano Concerto. Having become aquainted with its tuneful lusciousness and joie de vivre, i gave several copies to friends, and always received delighted responses.
Which one?
Sorry. It's the E Major.
I completely agree. I became obsessed with this piece after hearing it for the first time. My favorite recording is the one from Naxos with Antoni Wit (of Mahler 8 fame).
@@johnwaring6443 Don't be sorry! I got excited thinking I might have been bringing news to you that Moszkowski wrote a 2nd piano concerto that you didn't know about! 🤣His B Minor is actually my favorite of the two, but I love the E major Op.59 SO MUCH also.
@@briang7942 Same, with Marcus Pawlik as pianist. It's the recording I imprinted on, although I'm not a fan of Wit's Mahler 8 recording. I love Piers Lane and most of his albums on Hyperion, but I'm really not a fan of his Moszkowski Op.59. It's gotta be that Naxos recording or the classic David Bar Illan recording IMO, I enjoy both.
Khachaturian Violin Concerto...just gorgeous...a wonderful List!! Thank you again so much!! Greetings to all!!!
You did an early video about Schulhoff that led me to discover this piano concerto, and I'm so glad it did. Of all the music I've discovered through your channel - and there's quite a bit - it's the piece I listen to most often. I love it!
Nielsen's violin concerto, with its' gorgeous bracing tune and misplaced accents in the expansive first movement, and the disarmingly delightful finale
It's got a beautifully poignant tune in the first movement (though underused), but I find the second movement is much too long and padded out with busyness.
Thank you for including the Mathias concerto on your list. An absolutely first-rate work by a composer who deserves a much wider audience.
Dave has mentioned Matthias’s Harp Concerto in another video but yes, it’s not a work that is played!
Wow, William Mathias! I don't know that I've heard him mentioned on this channel before. His piano concertos are fabulous, too, but the harp concerto is special. That Bloch concerto is stunning. Nice shout-outs to Finzi & RVW, too.
I'd toss in John Ireland's gorgeous Piano Concerto & Jacques Ibert's Flute Concerto.
I strongly second the Scharwenka Piano Concertos, mentioned by others here, particularly Nos. 1 (Wild and Hamelin recordings) and 4 (Hough recording). These could be a welcome substitute for the Rachmaninoff concertos, which I love as much as anyone (particularly 4 and the Rhapsody) but have been overplayed during the Rachmaninoff anniversary year of 2023. Scharwenka 4 was performed live by Hough a few times around the album release but I don't believe he's done it recently. It's such an exciting piece. Anton Rubinstein 4 used to be quite popular as well and is worthy of revival (it's paired with Scharwenka 1 on Hamelin's album). It seems that this repertoire niche is now entirely occupied by Rachmaninoff. The two fingerbuster late romantic/early modern concertos that everyone plays are Rach 3 and Prok 2. And of course Tchaik 1 and Rach 2 are perennially performed, though they are slightly less difficult technically. Are these better pieces than Scharwenka and Rubinstein? Probably so, but let's hear some more variety!
I don't believe anyone has yet mentioned Reynaldo Hahn's gorgeous Piano Concerto, which opens with a beautiful solo, lyrical and slightly cheesy. It owes a great deal to Saint-Saëns, as one might expect, but has its own unique character as well. I suppose the piece is not outwardly virtuosic enough for many pianists today. I got to know it via the Coombs recording (thanks again to Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto series) and there is a great new recording out this year from William Youn.
Thanks to Dave for mentioning the Anderson Piano Concerto; I was completely unaware of its existence and just listened. What a delightful and fun piece!
My pick is Gavin Bryars' 2nd bass concerto "Farewell to St Petersburg"... it's probably underplayed simply from being a recently written bass concerto lmao but it's so moving with this very stoic sense of melancholy. It's also beautifully orchestrated with a bass choir that sings a text taken from the glinka song cycle with the same name
Have a lot of time for Bryars, after hearing his song cycle Adnan Songbook - melodically gorgeous and the way he uses the instrumental ensemble that accompanies is little short of masterly. Cheers
Great list, and agree completely with the Saint-Saëns 3rd which I first heard on recording in the early '90s. Along with the great opening, it has a barn-storming finale. Also agree completely with the Anderson and Vaughn Williams concertos. Hope to hear all of them live, just once, before I die. I got to hear the Prokofiev 5th with the Atlanta Symphony in Jan. 2011 with Juho Pohjonen as soloist. I've got some other listening and re-listening to do on this list.
Scharwenka's 1st piano concerto and the piano concerto by Paderewski are both worthy of revival. We need someone like the late Earl Wild to champion pieces such as these.
I would love to hear Scharwenka's Piano Concerto No. 4 live. I got hooked on it after listening to Steven Hough's recording.
Absolutely phenomenal recording of an incredibly underrated piano concerto. Paired with the Von Sauer if I remember correctly; I believe Hyperion is releasing a recording of Sauer's 2nd piano concerto in the coming months too.
@@kingconcerto5860That’s great to know!! Sauer’s 1st PC is a lyrically inspired masterpiece and one of my very favorite works in the genre.
@@kylejohnson8877 Same, it was one of the first Hyperion albums I purchased and it's still one of their best IMO. I own *almost* every single album from the Romantic Piano Concerto series on Hyperion, and a few other standout releases from this series that you might know, but *possibly* have flown under your radar (in chronological order of the album release dates):
- Henselt - Piano Concerto in F Minor, Op.16 (Marc-Andre Hamelin / RPC #7)
- Kullak - Piano Concerto in C Minor, Op.55 (Piers Lane / RPC #21)
- Holbrooke - Piano Concerto #1, Op.52 (Hamish Milne / RPC #23)
- Lyapunov - Piano Concerto #1 in Eb Minor, Op.4 (Hamish Milne/ RPC #30)
- Zelenski - Piano Concerto in Eb Major, Op.60 (Jonathan Plowright / RPC #59)
- Moszkowski - Piano Concerto in B Minor, Op.3 (Ludmil Angelov / RPC #68)
- Paderewski - Fantaisie Polonaise, Op.19 (Jonathan Plowright / RPC #83)
If any of these are unfamiliar to you, do yourself a favor and get these albums today- you won't regret it (especially the Kullak and Zelenski).
I will note that Dave wrote a rather scathing review of this Holbrooke concerto on his site, I understand there are problems with the piece but I still strongly feel it is criminally underappreciated- it contains one of the most beautiful cadenzas I know of which leads into this spectacular, soaring, romantic finale... I really feel like his review treated this piece unfairly, and it's VERY much a sleeper release in this series... Also, the H. Wood piano concerto it's paired with contains one of the most spectacular introductions of any piece of music I know of- very much reminds me of the intro to the Busoni piano concerto. Give it a shot, it might surprise you; but the Kullak and Zelenski are NOT to be missed! They're both right up there with Scharwenka #4 and Sauer #1 IMO.
The Paderewski Op.19 is another particularly high quality composition... Anyway LMK if you're already familiar with any of this, and if not tell me what you think after listening. I'm sure you'll love them all TBH.
@@kingconcerto5860 thank you for the recommendations! Of the works you list, I know the Holbrooke and the Paderewski (his A minor concerto is also wonderful), both of which I enjoy very much. Do you know the Alnæs Piano Concerto (coupled with the rather less interesting Sinding concerto on Vol. 12 of the RPC series)? It’s a glorious work in my view, imbued with a life-affirming spirit (though the slow movement is almost tragic at times) and memorable tunes. The secondary theme of the finale remarkably anticipates the famous 18th variation from Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody by a good 20 years!
@@kylejohnson8877 Most certainly! I'm sure you'll love them, those are pretty much all of my top releases from that series. I'm actually quite surprised that you don't know the Moszkowski or Henselt if you know the Paderewski and Holbrooke... Yes, I do have that Alnaes + Sinding album. I do recall enjoying it a lot, although I've only heard it once or twice and it's been a few years (likely because it was part of a very large music purchase, and I think discovered something else in that round of purchases that blew me away so the Alnaes didn't get the proper attention of repeated listening over a few weeks). I'll give it another listen today, it's due. Any other standout releases along with the Alnaes from the RPC series for you?
I have another post here somewhere with other great piano concerti recordings that aren't on Hyperion, these recommendations can get really long really quickly so I'll just leave you with one more in addition to the Hyperion albums I've already mentioned- the *Vittorio Giannini piano concerto* (Imreh/Bournemouth Symphony/Naxos). You'll *definitely* want to check this one out, trust me.
Finally, I mentioned it previously but really just want to reiterate that the Kullak and Zelenski piano concerti should not be missed under any circumstances, lol. The Kullak is very reminiscent of the Thalberg Op.5 piano concerto, but I think the Kullak is a much stronger work. The Zelenski is Jonathan Plowright doing what he does best- advocating the beauty of the late-romantic Polish piano concerto in the most convincing way possible, and I think the Zelenski concerto really represents the pinnacle of that genre along with Paderewski's greatest masterpieces. Plowright is SUCH an underrated pianist, perhaps because of this highly specialized repertoire but every one of his Paderewski recordings has surpassed the Earl Wild recordings IMO, which were previously the reference recordings in this genre.
Enjoy, and feel free to send any more of your recommendations my way because I promise I will devour them all.
Many of these concerti have only received one recording on Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto series, but here are a handful off the top of my head -
Kullak - Piano Concerto in C Minor, Op. 55
Zelenski - Piano Concerto in Eb Major, Op. 60
Medtner - Piano Concerto #1 in C Minor, Op. 33
Medtner - Piano Concerto #2 in C Minor, Op. 50
Henselt - Piano Concerto in F Minor, Op.16
Scharwenka - Piano Concerto #1 in Bb Minor, Op.32
Scharwenka - Piano Concerto #4 in F Minor, Op.82
Marx- Romantic Piano Concerto in E Major
Thalberg - Piano Concerto in F Minor, Op.5
Rubinstein - Piano Concerto #4 in D Minor, Op.70
Moszkowski - Piano Concerto in B Minor, Op.3
Moszkowski - Piano Concerto in E Major, Op.59
Bortkiewicz - Piano Concerto #3 in C Minor, Op.32
Vittorio Giannini - Piano Concerto
This may not be much of a consideration for most of us, but it is for cash- strapped community orchestras. Only one of these 12--SS3--is in the public domain. For my orchestra that puts them out of contention. So over the years, in partial atonement, we've played (considering piano only) SS4, Hummel 2 and 3, Bortkiewicz 1, Moszkowski Op 59, Scharwenka 1 and 4, Tch 2 and 3, R-K, J. Wieniawski, and a particular charmer, #2 in c-minor by Stanford. Oh--and Busoni. Next season brings Borowski and d'Albert. Dave, your advocacy of underplayed (or unplayed) works is tremendously appreciated, as is your wealth of knowledge and love of the repertory. We may be out in the sticks ( Saratoga CA) but we try.
We used to play public doman stuff all the time, I believe on loan from the Fleischer Collection in Philadelphia, and fees were generally waived or were very modest, based on the budget of the ensemble. I'm not sure about the situation now. I remember doing an "American in Paris" where the parts rental wasn't a big deal, except that they wanted $400+ for the taxi horns, so I went out and bought my own set at a junk shop for $20 or so and it worked splendidly.
Yes. Instrumentalists are usually eager to play new material. It's the budget-conscious orchestra management that needs to be convinced.
I love you for this list, Mr. H.! I have fallen in love with the Saint-Saëns, can't believe how ignored it has been!
I have had a soft spot for the Violin Concerto Op.8 by Karłowicz, which was the other work on a disc of his Serenade for Strings on the CDM label (soloist Kaja Danczowska, conductor the estimable Antoni Wit). I think Tasmin Little also recorded it (on Hyperion) with Martyn Brabbins. Perhaps, Dave, you could do a quick survey of Karłowicz on CD some time…? Sadly, he died young, so there’s not a huge list works.
Karlowicz is generally excellent.
Yes! Karlowicz’s Violin Concerto is one of my all-time favorite concerti for the instrument and is full of some glorious tunes. I find it much more appealing than his often gloomy and rather unmemorable (IMO) tone poems.
Stuff to check out! For me: Britten's Violin Concerto, easily
I’ve noticed that this masterpiece has actually been featured relatively frequently on recent concert programs. On the other hand, I’ve never seen his delightful, sparkling Piano Concerto programmed once!
@@kylejohnson8877 very true, happy to see. Underplayed and underrated don't necessarily line up exactly. The quality, the gigantic burst of inspiration that is that work, relative to it's status makes it still massively underrated to me. It probably is my favorite violin concerto since Bach, but I never see it on lists of the greatest works in the Violin Concerto repetoire. Agree on the Piano Concerto! Way more underplayed and so exciting and interesting.
@@JamesTailor7 Well, in any case, it’s near the top of *my* list of the greatest violin concertos! It’s probably also my favorite work by Britten and one of his most deeply communicative works. He tends to get remembered as a composer primarily of vocal works, but there are many riches to be found amongst his instrumental works as well!
@@kylejohnson8877 I agree wholeheartedly. Do you have a favorite recording, of both the Piano and Violin Concerto?
@@JamesTailor7 I can’t claim to have a comprehensive knowledge of the discography of either work, but certainly the Janine Jansen/LSO/Paavo Järvi recording of the Violin Concerto on Decca strikes me as an intensely committed performance. As for the Piano Concerto, it’s hard to imagine the dazzling Steven Osborne/BBC Scottish SO/Ilan Volkov recording on Hyperion being bettered! And it’s wonderfully coupled with Britten’s two other delightfully inventive works for piano and orchestra, “Diversions” and “Young Apollo”.
Happy to see the Bloch on your list. I used to have the LP by Szigeti; a turnabout reissue, I think. Great stuff. As for underplayed concertos, I would add the Martin Violin Concerto and the Scriabin Piano Concerto (a conventional romantic concerto to be sure, but quite lovely).
My list. I don’t really respond to innovation or distinction. I just want tunes or some other hooks to keep my attention. Apologies in advance to those with different criteria. So here goes:
Kabalevsky: Piano Concerto no. 3 (the tunes! The tunes!)
Glazunov: Saxophone Concerto
Bortkiewicz: Piano Concerto no. 2
Paganini: Concertino for horn, bassoon and orchestra (sure, the violin concerto is great too)
Kullak: Piano concerto in c minor
Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Violin Concerto no. 2 (from Warner’s Mehta box)
Medtner: Piano concertos: All three
Scharwenka: Piano Concertos: All four are absolute bangers.
Lange-Müller: Violin Concerto
Czerny: Piano Concerto in d minor
Not formally concertos, but works for solo and orchestra:
Milhaud: Carnaval d’Aix
Tsfasman: Suite for Piano and Orchestra
Oooh yes the Bortkiewicz 2: I have never heard anything of his that I didn't immediately love. And all the Scharwenkas too.
Miklos Rozsa's five: Violin, Cello, Viola, Piano, and Double (Violin-Cello).
I love Schoenfield's Four Parables for piano and orchestra. It's the only 20th century concerto that I love. The jazzy parts are very natural and doesn't have the classical-composer-writing-jazz kind of sound. The four movements are supposed to be inspired by real life stories but I haven't felt the need to find out what they are (I first heard this piece before the internet era). There are some moments when the orchestra makes sound that would make your hair stands. I guess they must have been awful events, The last movement, subtitled 'Dog Heaven', is pure unadulterated fun.
Live performance repertoire has become so essentialized to guarantee ticket sales that it's more like visiting a museum than anything else. That's why I just curate listening experiences at home. In my adventures, here are 6 concerti that would be nice to have performed for others to appreciate:
1. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Violin Concerto, Op.80 - I loved it the first time I heard it with Philippe Graffin.
2. Ignacy Paderewski's Piano Concerto, Op.17 - I'm sure it had its moment back in the day, but it is a powerhouse that needs to be reintroduced.
3. Bohuslav Martinů's Cello Concerto No.2, H. 304 - It was Raphael Wallfisch's recording that swept me off my feet. There is a sweep and grandeur that's a knock-out.
4.John Corigliano's Oboe Concerto (1975) - It's intelligent and musically interesting, and fun!
5. Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto Pastoral for Flute (1978) - I think it's the best flute concerto ever written. It's challenging for the performer, it's the perfect length, and immensely listenable.
6. Mark O'Connor's 'Old Brass" Violin Concerto No.6 - It's a sonic representation of Spring for me. The melodies are so lovely, the violin playing is of course virtuosic. The orchestration is not perfect, but it is a pleasure all the way through.
I remember enjoying the Peter Mennin piano concerto, unfortunately a long enough time ago that i can't describe it or set out a justification. But i do remember enjoying it and would like to hear it again.
I listened to the Saint-Saëns 3rd just now, it's indeed quite lovely. My favorite is still the 4th, which I've never seen on any concert program, maddeningly.
I would like to add the Bortkiewicz Piano Concerto no.1 to this list. Fantastic, rich, romantic piano concerto, with big tunes.
For an addition to the list above I nominate Peggy Glanville-Hicks' Etruscan Concerto. As a jazz fan I chanced upon the CD with Dennis Russell Davies conducting the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and Keith Jarret (!) as the soloist. He was perfectly matched to the music as the concerto like his solo performances has a strong propulsive energy. This CD became a gateway drug of sorts causing me to search out other mid-century American composers as well as learning more about them via this channel.
Thank you very much for mentioning Glanville-Hicks - as an Australian, I can't help but feel a tinge of pride! The first movement (my favourite of the three, with one of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard) gets regular play on the A(ustralian)BC Classic radio station, but they don't use the Brooklyn Philharmonic recording - instead opting for our own Caroline Almonte accompanied by the Tasmanian Symphony under Richard Mills (which is a bit more diffuse in sound, although you can actually hear the last note of the movement well unlike with Jarrett et al.). I've often wondered how on earth this thing could be brought into the concert hall ... maybe pairing it with another short-ish Aussie piano concerto (e.g. the neo-Romantic Vine 1st, the terse yet heartfelt Sculthorpe, the buoyant Williamson 2nd)?
The Grondahl Trombone Concerto! A masterpiece!
How about Rouse's trombone concerto?
I love your description of Martinu's technique. His music is unlike anything else, thank GOD.
Zygmunt Stojowski’s Piano Concerti are well worth considering, especially the Second with its wonderful theme and variations. They are also brilliantly written with unmistakable ingenuity and originality.
I will also nominate:
-Moeran: Violin Concerto (with a hauntingly beautiful finale)
Tchaikovsky: Third Piano Concerto (original and Taneyev's version)
-Glazunov: Piano Concerti
-Gliere: Conc. for Coloratura & Orch.
-Leighton: Cello Concerto (masterful)
-Howells: First Piano Concerto
-Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto
-Weinberg: Cello Concerto
-Rubinstein: Fourth Piano Concerto (once a staple)
-Bax: Violin Concerto
-Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto
-Goldmark: Violin Concerto
-Lydia Auster: Piano Concerto
-Atterberg: Piano Concerto
-Tubin: Violin Concerti I & II
-Melartin: Violin Concerto
-Rakov: Violin Concerto
-Taktakishvili: Violin Concertino
-Denisov: Viola Concerto
-Knipper: Violin Concertino (with a beautiful slow movement)
this list is marvelous, thank you truly! Finding that Knipper Violin Concertino is no mean feat!!
@@smallbirdsongs You're welcome. Happy listening. 👍
The Kiel Piano Concerto and Carl Friedrich Abel's Piano Concertos on CPO. I heard the Kiel for the first time, when our college library was first starting to digitize its classical music catalogue. It's a fun piece in the grand style that never gets performed. And no matter what I'm doing, it makes me smile when I put it on. The Abel Concertos are interesting in the fact, that they're in two movements. The CPO release should be a reference recording. The only downside: the soloist uses a harpsichord for the last two.
I agree wholeheartedly with the Saint-Saens recommendation. I’m a relative newcomer to classical music, came across this concerto accidentally and loved it immediately. Then I read somewhere that it is one of his less popular concertos and was rather baffled - apparently it has more “harmonic experimentation” than the others. I like the 2nd and 5th as well but the 3rd should be just as popular in my view.
Agree but his 1st is also beautiful
Garrick Ohlsson played the Martinu with the NY Philharmonic several years ago - it was a wonderful performance. My choice for an underplayed concerto would definitely be Cyril Scott's cello concerto. It is a dark impressionistic work as much of Scott's work is- very mysterious, almost mystical and otherworldly. It's a fascinating piece and to my ears a masterpiece of cello and orchestral writing. Engaging from the very opening to the last notes.
So far I've listened to the Vaughan Williams and the Martinu. Great works. I'll continue listening. Thanks for the excellent list!
Thank you for suggesting the Saint-Saëns 3 [and, yes, I did have to copy from your blurb in order to get the accent...]. I agree that 1, 3, 4, & 5 all deserve many more concert outings. As an orchestral violinist I have only ever done No 2...
I am lucky enough to have all of his concertos [including all 3 violin concertos], and all of them are worth hearing.
If you like his Organ Symphony you would like the Piano Concerto No 4, which was in hind sight a sort of trial run for the musical form that Symphony has.
If I were to add any I would go for Scharwenka [4 piano], Bortkiewicz [2 piano, a cello, & a violin], and Vieuxtemps [7 violin, though admittedly those are just a tad variable].
I would like to add the violin concerto of William Walton. It's passionate, late-romantic piece sounding at time like old school film music (which is not a bad thing of course). If you love the violin concertos of say Korngold or Barber, then it's highly likely you will like this one as well. There are a number of recordings but I've never seen it programed. Maybe the British play it in concert once in while but not here in continental Europe.
Then I would like to add the piano concerto by Arthur Bliss. Another piece that was written in a hopelessly anachronistic style for music written in the 1930s. It sounds like it was written 50 or more years earlier. It's a large scale work of about 35 - 38 minutes. The concerto doesn't have many memorable tunes but it gives the pianist virtuoso opportunities to impress. Would love to see it in concert. Thank god it has been recorded a number of times.
Finally I would like to mention Tchaikovsky's 2nd piano concerto. Sure it doesn't have such a catchy tune at the very beginning but besides that it's just as great of a piece as the 1st one.
I wouldn’t say the Bliss PC is “hopelessly anachronistic”. There’s some deliciously piquant and “spicy” harmonies (though never harsh) sprinkled throughout. The heroic first movement boats a particularly thrilling cadenza, near the end of which the timpani comes thundering in!
I very much like Vagn Holmboe Concerto for Cello and Orchestra. I find it wholly characteristic of Holmboe's work -- sharp, dramatic and challenging. Yet, like all of Holmboe's work I find it accessible.
The Rozsa Viola concerto is definitely one I would consider because it’s a dark tuneful work for an instrument that doesn’t have many concertos a violist could pick.
On the Anderson Piano Concerto, I agree it should be played in a regular concert. It may have “pop” tunes, but he could use them in a serious form, and it works. Program it with the Chopin Variations on “Là ci darem la mano” for a first or second half of the concert. Who would not have a good time with that program?
Paul D.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
I've played the Rozsa. Seems more than a bit influenced by the Bartok, but well worth listening to.
I'm thinking of Respighi's Concerto gregoriano for violin and orchestra. It really should be better known. It exudes lyricism rather than virtuosism, a very meditative, consoling piece of music, only in the 3rd mov. there's more vigour. It's written using church modes (I think). Overall, a quite lovely composition.
Respighi's violin concertante works are stunning.
@@robhaynes4410 indeed! The Poema autunnale is another personal favourite. It's imbued with a soulful spirit I find quite moving.
@@Cesar_SM It's so gorgeous.
I heartily agree with Dave’s list as well as many other choices suggested by others! I’d like to add two relatively unknown piano concerti that are included in Hyperion’s wonderful Romantic Piano Concerto series - those by Eyvind Alnæs and Emil von Sauer (No. 1). I mean it when I say that these are as fine as any of the standard Romantic concerti - they’re filled to the brim with memorable melodies, sparkling virtuosity, and effective orchestration. If you doubt me, just listen to the incredibly touching slow movement of the von Sauer concerto or the irresistibly spirited waltz-like finale of the Alnæs.
Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in D minor. He wrote this when he was thirteen and it's wonderful. A masterpiece example of the classical period violin concerto so if you like the Mozart concertos, you'll love this one.
Richard Strauss's Violin Concerto in D minor. Just a beautiful violin concerto of the straight-forward romantic style very different style than his later works (he wrote it when he was 19, I believe).
And you've already commented on this piece before, but I would love to attend a live performance of the Dvorak Piano concerto which is actually my favorite of his concertos (yes, I prefer it over his violin concerto which I like also quite a bit, and his cello concerto which never really moved me). It has some of his most beautiful melodies and I like concertos where it is a balance between the soloist and orchestra.
I'd make a plea for Moeran's Cello Concerto - broading and intense in the first two movements, with a delicious Irish jig tune in the finale.
I agree.....great concerto
Absolutely seconded. His Violin Concerto is equally gorgeous.
Listening to it for the first time right now and I'm enjoying it
Your list is a good start, but I'd need look no further than Tchaikovsky to add another example: In my decades of concert going I have never heard a live performance of his 2nd Piano Concerto. His first PC seems to so dominate the category of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerti that the 2nd (and the 3rd -- a one movement fragment) might as well not exist for concert purposes. Thanks to recordings, we can hear both the 2nd and 3rd. The 2nd is, in my opinion, at least equal to the first in quality. Its length probably works against programming it (though a cut version does exist).
The Goldmark Violin Concerto is another that I've never heard live. Thanks to Nathan Milstein, I've heard it on record.
The slow movement of the 2nd PC is one of Tchaikovsky’s very finest creations - basically a “mini triple concerto” with its beautiful, extended solos for violin and cello (which are scandalously removed in the cut version).
I once heard Postnikova and Rozhdesvensky do it in Singapore, of all places.
I've always loved the 2nd too and heard it live a few years ago. Bonkers piece but so beautiful
Glad you brought up the Prokofiev Piano concerto 5. I think it's my favorite out of all 5 Prokofiev Piano Concertos and I think it's a shame it doesn't get performed live as often.
My choice is the Th. Dubois second piano concerto. The adagio is one of the most moving of the piano concertos literature. The young Cédric Tiberghien is its perfect interpreter.
Given the tremendous popularity of the over-played concertos of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, I would like to think at least a couple piano concertos of Anton Rubinstein would get played from time to time. They used to get played quite a bit but have fallen by the wayside. They're even scarce on CD. Same story for the once popular Warsaw Concerto by Addinsell.
Your list is instructive. I will listen to them all. I want more of " Ridiculously Underplayed " music pieces list. Thank you from Japan.
I don’t know all these pieces but definitely agree about those I know. I heard Janos Starker play the Hindemith Cello Concerto about 40 years ago; it was great (as was Starker, naturally).
Top of my list of ridiculously underplayed concertos is the Miklos Rosza Violin Concerto. At least as good as the Korngold, which is now standard rep (and would be an obvious CD pairing if anyone still made CDs).
And he’s right; nobody seems to be doing Schelomo these days, either. I love that piece; it’s interesting for the orchestra, too.
And I don’t know Leroy Anderson’s piano concerto, but the piano concerto concert concert rep needs to be expanded; you rarely hear more than the 5 Beethovens, 2 Brahms, 2 Chopins, Prokofiev 2-3, Bartok, Rachmaninov 2-3, and a handful of Mozarts.
Guess I'll add my two cents worth. For me Gian Carlo Menotti's Violin Concerto in A and his Piano Concerto in F is sadly neglected. And I didn't see anyone mention Henryk Wieniawski. I seldom hear his two Violin Concertos anywhere. Such a shame. THANKS DAVE....
Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto No. 3. Shockingly underplayed and underrated. You all should listen to the Gil Shaham / Sinopoli recording on DG. You’ll be glad you did!
It’s quite frequently performed in my experience (deservedly so!), more so than any of his piano concerti. I very much agree with Dave about the criminal neglect of his 3rd PC. Ditto the 1st PC, which is one of the most sunny and tuneful works of the entire 19th century (in the outer movements, anyway).
saint saens no.3 is played very often at student concertos and by students in general.
Rodrigo Violin Concierto de Estio - Whimsical and gorgeous
Artur Honegger wrote a hauntingly beautiful cello concerto(opening theme is instantly memorable for life) that has been well-recorded. You saluted the Christian Poltera recording on Classics Today. Also the Concertino for Piano and Orchestra is another enchanting, scintillating work, equally memorable as the Cello Concerto.
Less than a year ago Dave also did a highly enthusiastic video on a brilliant disc from Johannes Moser of 3 neglected 20th century cello concertos, including the Honegger. Completing the disc are the Hindemith and Martinu 1st concertos.
A bit of trivia about the Prokofiev concerto: Andrew Lloyd Webber snagged the opening theme of the finale for his musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". It appears in the number "The Arrest", accompanying these lines from Caiaphas:
Jesus, you must realize
The serious charges facing you
You say you're the son of God
In all your handouts -
Well is it true?
I'll bet Shostakovich caught this when he saw JCS (twice) in London in 1972.
Two uncommonly wonderful violin concerti that you rarely ever encounter (I have never heard these live0 are the Elgar and the Dvorak Violin concertos.....I could not believe how well written they were when I first encountered them.
Dvorak gets played a fair amount. Elgar less so but I wouldn’t call it neglected. Neither gets played as much as the Big 4, admittedly.
The Dvorak Piano Concerto is also a fabulous work. They say pianists hate to play it, though, because he made the left hand part just as difficult as the right hand's part.
I was fortunate enough to hear both Pinchas Zukerman and Ida Haendel play the Elgar in London, back in the seventies.
Robert Ward's 1968 Piano Concerto's neglect is baffling, considering how acutely attractive the music is - it is extremely tuneful (and the tunes really do stick), beautifully melodic, and it has a wonderfully generous, warmhearted spiritedness to it that is infectious. Marjorie Mitchell's recording of the piece is expertly played, but technically the recording is below par and suffers from balance issues. We are in great need of a new recording. On a more general note, why oh why is Robert Ward so neglected? He composed marvellous music that deserves rescuing from oblivion. Come on Naxos!
Agreed - Ward is a wonderful composer I've heard some of his symphonies - very nice indeed.
Totally agree! The fact that Ward’s music has barely been given any recent recordings is baffling to me. Not even Naxos’ generally wonderful and comprehensive American Classics series has paid any attention to Ward. His warm-hearted, accessible music should appeal to anyone who enjoys Barber and Hanson.
I personally think the Pierne Harp Concerto is criminally underplayed. It is a beautiful work with such simple but well executed form
His Piano Concerto, too.
I love both the Martinu and Prokofiev but wish the Palmgren 3rd was played it's great fun and deserves a playing.
Thank you very much Dave for another video on neglected repertoire! I've decided to hold my suggestions back to see how many of my favourites get mentioned (quite a few!) so, I'll limit myself to five which haven't been mentioned that I think deserve at least the odd concert hall outing:
- Arensky's Piano Concerto in f minor, Op. 2: what the Chopin Piano Concerto would be if they were any good ... OK that's cruel, but it's a beautiful, mellifluous work with wonderful tunes.
- Finzi's Clarinet Concerto: one of his more gnarly works, but even if the first two movements are too much, just listen to the third and its perfect rondo theme - quintessential Finzi!
- Corigliano's Piano Concerto: recommended to me last year by pianist and composer Ian Munro as a model of the 'contemporary' piano concerto. He was right. That motto theme!
- Emerson's Piano Concerto: one of the most coolly (strangely?) proportioned piano concerti ever, but again - great tunes, relatively easy for the soloist, and doesn't outstay its welcome.
- Kelder's Saxophone Concerto No. 1: a very recent work which has great tunes, and borrows very freely from film music, jazz and popular idioms. Toe-tappingly fun, with a crazy cadenza!
Melcer piano concerto no 2 is stunning arch romanticism (though fiendishly difficult to play) and his 1st is good too.
I like the bassoon, but there are only two and a half major bassoon concertos: Weber, Hummel (and Mozart). My concert would be Freischütz overture and bassoon concerto by Weber on the first half, and maybe Raff 6 "Im Walde" on the second half.
I think both Prokofiev's and Bartok's first violin concertos are much more beautiful than their second violin concertos, but the seconds are the ones that get played.
As far as piano concerti go, I feel that the Moszkowski E Major Concerto could be more popular that the Tchaik. 1st -- if anyone would ever play it, that is. And in the last edition of the Cliburn Competition, the finalists were allowed to choose a concerto that would pair with a Mozart concerto (also of their choice). The one American who was a finalist chose the Gershwin, to which he added some fun embellishments (not in the score, but very much in the spirit of Gerswhin). HOWEVER, if he wanted to represent American composers with that which I consider THE "Great American Piano Concerto", he would possibly have won the competition by playing the Barber. It's interesting because Barber's Violin Concerto does pop up fairly regularly on concert programs, but hardly anyone plays his piano concerto. Maybe it's too hard?
One of Alfred Brendel's first recordings for Vox was the Prokofiev 5. Picture that. As for concertos....from the Planet Baxia....the Bax violin concerto. I know of only 2 recordings.....
There's three recordings of the Bax, but only the Mordkovitch/Thomson one is in modern sound. It should be recorded much more. I had hoped that Tamsin Little would record it for her British concertos albums, but she retired after just two albums. A shame.
I'd like to nominate the Doreen Carwithen Concerto for Piano and Strings. Hear it and you'll know what I mean. Absolultely ravishing.
The Lassen violin concerto is a really fun romp
I have to shout out a recent discovery for me. It’s the Novák Concentus Biiugis, a concerto for piano 4-hands and orchestra. There’s a recent recording on Supraphon and it’s a delightful piece.
And I already made a video about it.
Here is a suggestion for another video : 10 best tunesmith composer everrrrr. I would include Dvorak (No.1 !), Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mozart, Schubert and Grieg. And as contenders Prokofiev and Poulenc
Sadly, the Vaughan Williams PC was to be performed in London two years ago, but it was cancelled.
Saint-Saens Violin Concerto no 3 and the MacDowell Piano Concertos I think deserve more performances.
Think also the Walton cello concerto and Saint-Saens cello concerto (both of them nr 1 and 2 )are underplayed, though not ridicouloussly uderplayed...Walton is a masterpiece , almost like star wars movie music in its excitement with a fantastic orchestration and beautifully lyric cello lines, I always get goose bumps when the melody of the first returns in the end of the piece🙏
The Himdemith cello concerto u mentioned was considered by Paul Tortelier to be among the five great ones...I think the reason for its less popularity might be the leght ( longish ) and eventhough a beautiful second movement the first is perhaps too marchial in it manner🙄
None of those are underplayed.
Well, at least in my country they are
Dont forget Roussel 's piano concerto opus 26. A Real masterpiece.
Dave did not forget it.. he cited its extreme brevity as a reason for its rarity in the concert hall. I'm a big Roussel fan, but have never even heard it on disc.
I know this sounds crazy but I wish the Glazunov Saxophone Concerto received more regular performances. It’s a lovely piece and doesn’t require much in the way of time and forces. Plus it gives us poor saxophonist a little love from the classical community.
Good items noted this discussion. Around 10-12 years ago I was happy to see Garrick Ohlsson play the Prokofiev 5th Concerto in Philadelphia with Noseda guest conducting. He played the difficult piano part elegantly and seemingly effortlessly, in contrast to the fierceness of Richter's recording. The Philly audience loved it. It is a great concerto but has always been a difficult sell. In his notebooks Richter said that Prokofiev asked him to learn & perform it (in 1937) as it had been notably unsuccessful back then, either. Richter said it was 18 years before he played it again.
Great list! I'd add Khachaturian's piano and violin concertos, both of which have evaded me in my years of concert-going in London. Would love to heard them live some day. It gets some playing but Britten's piano concerto is also underplayed, even here!
I love Saint-Saens PC3 much more than the 2
I tend to think Saint Sean's is underplayed anyway. He wrote some amazing music . Is it because he was French? Much like Cesar Frank (who was Belgian btw) . And the German fraternity just didn't want to expose french music during the 19 th century..
Can I put in a word for the truly marvellous concerti by the visionary composer, Dussek? His work often looks forward to composers such as Brahms! I should particularly like to perform the great concerto for 2 pianos.
Johann Albrechtsberger, besides being one of Beethoven's music teachers, composed his concerto to alto trombone in 1759. Although rarely performed, is a delightful work with nice interplay of soloist and orchestra.
I'd argue for the fantastic, gloriously unique Weinberg cello and violin concertos (there seems to have been a little run of recordings of the cello one 10 or 15 years ago, but the violin... nothing.)
The Cello Concerto is a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece! One of the greatest concerti for the instrument in my view.
I have a fairly recent recording of the violin concerto by Linus Roth. It's a gritty, astringent piece with little of the lyrical warmth of the gorgeous cello concerto.
@@timothybridgewater5795 Yeah, the Cello Concerto is uncommonly approachable and instantly lovable amongst Weinberg’s works. Much of his other music can be rather austere and grey, but is sometimes worth the effort.
Garrick Ohlsson performed Prokofieff PC 5 with the Philadelphia before the pandemic. (Can one assume that he performed it elsewhere that season?) O believe I saw that Yuja Wang was scheduled to perform it also. Not that it matters now, but as a fledgling choreographer with the Joffrey Ballet, when it was at home in NYC, before moving to Chicago, Eliot Feld created a ballet to Prokofieff PC 5 that was a sensation, 50 years ago. A great piece of music. Beautiful slow movement.
Haydn's trumpet concerto. It is short and could be treated as an encore.
Can I include the concertos of Ferdinand Ries, a Beethoven/Schumann/Chopin school of composer....
I think Prokofiev beat the violin concerto rule. His two are both very popular and the 2nd arguably more so than the first.
Szigeti recorded the Bloch Violin Concerto with Charles Munch and the Paris Conservatory Orchestra, not Mengelberg.
www.amazon.com/Mengelberg-As-Accompanist-Concerto-Fantaisie/dp/B0025RNTKY
Against the odds, I've heard all the concertos on the list, EXCEPT the Saint-Saens. I intend to correct this quickly.
Lots of interesting stuff here! I would add Benjamin Godard 2nd Violin concerto to our list.
Dave....I should mention....although you know this ....Gliere wrote as harp concerto if I remember correctly
Discussed elsewhere.
I'll give a vote to the piano Concertino by John Alden Carpenter, with an amazingly prescient (1915) use of blues elements in the slow movement. There's really nothing "ino" about it except when first written it didn't have a cadenza (Carpenter later wrote one, but it's not used on the only recording I'm aware of). It was apparently a favorite piece of Percy Grainger, who played it often.
I hope you're proud of me, Dave - I have performed both Saint Saens 3 and the Anderson concerto! I always loved Saint Saens 3. Can I put in a word for the Pierne piano concerto as well?
Sure. I am VERY proud of yiou!
Definitely Medtner's 2nd.
All three!
@@burtcolk I agree, and they are so different from each other.
The 2nd is wonderful, but my favorite is the glorious 3rd. Medtner is often dismissed as being an inferior melodist to Rachmaninoff, but the nostalgic, waltz-like tune in the finale of the 3rd PC sure gives Sergei a run for his money! There’s a great recording of the work on BIS with pianist Evgeny Sudbin and the Bergen PO under Andrew Litton, and it’s coupled with Scriabin’s beautiful, underplayed concerto.
So what are you thoughts on Atterberg's cello concerto?
All of the Hummel piano concertos.
Yes. 2 and 3, in particular.
2 and 3 are performed occasionally, but my favourite is No 5.
And from the same period, John Field's 2nd concerto. Lovely work!
@@ruramikael Indeed--my three favorites as well. He also has a superb and very Mozartian mandolin concerto. Sadly, the figurines are vastly more celebrated than the composer.
Nicolas Flagello has good ones for piano (recorded by Rankovich) and violin (by Oliveira).
I love Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 3 ... in fact all his concertos are great, with my least favorite being No. 4.
Cesar Franck 2nd piano concerto?
Glazunov is another composer that will compose either great works Ballade op.78 his violin concerto and complete duds....too much sipping of vodka while instructing at the conservatory....his piano concerto op.100 sounds like it was composed by Rachmaninoff.....what irony since Glazunov botched conducting symphony 1 by Rachmaninoff
The Piston Violin Concerto reminds me somewhat of the Adams violin concerto.... John Adams .
I love the Rubinstein magnificent 4th piano concerto, which has at least 5 recordings. IMO, it is certainly superior to Rach 1 and 4.
Why do you have to say that? This isn't a zero sum game. Can't you just say that you love the Rubinstein and perhaps explain why?