The Romantic Piano Concerto 62 - Gounod - Hyperion: CDA67975 - CD or download

Pomp and ceremony were not really Gounod's thing. Much the best bits are the central movements of the Suite Concertante and the Concerto. Excellent performances. — BBC Music Magazine, December 2013, More…

Release Date: 4th Nov 2013
Catalogue No: CDA67975
Label: Hyperion
Series: The Romantic Piano Concerto
Length: 55 minutes

Presto Recording of the Week

4th November 2013

In stock

Usually despatched within 1 working day

Gounod: Suite concertante

22:54

$4.50

$5.60

$6.95

Roberto Prosseda (piano)
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana
Howard Shelley

I. Entrée de fête: Moderato maestoso

6:29

$1.00

$1.25

$1.55

II. Chasse: Allegro con fuoco

7:07

$1.50

$1.85

$2.30

III. Romance: Andante cantabile

5:48

$1.00

$1.25

$1.55

IV. Tarentelle: Vivace

3:30

$1.00

$1.25

$1.55

Gounod: Concerto for pedal piano in E flat major

19:45

$4.50

$5.60

$6.95

Roberto Prosseda (piano)
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana
Howard Shelley

I. Allegro moderato

4:28

$1.00

$1.25

$1.55

II. Scherzo

3:36

$1.00

$1.25

$1.55

III. Adagio ma non troppo

7:23

$1.50

$1.85

$2.30

IV. Allegretto marziale (pomposo)

4:18

$1.00

$1.25

$1.55

Gounod: Fantaisie sur l’hymne national russe

8:36

$1.50

$1.85

$2.30

Roberto Prosseda (piano)
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana
Howard Shelley

Gounod: Danse roumaine

4:32

$1.00

$1.25

$1.55

Roberto Prosseda (piano)
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana
Howard Shelley

About
Reviews
Videos
Explore

About

Recording of the Week, Works for Pedal Piano by Gounod

4th November 2013

For the 62nd volume of Hyperion’s The Romantic Piano Concerto series, Roberto Prosseda joins Howard Shelley and the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana for the Concerto for pedal piano, Suite concertante and Fantaisie sur l’hymne national russe.

The Romantic Piano Concerto series reaches 62 and makes an interesting (although temporary) departure: these four works are for pedal piano (a piano which includes a separate keyboard for the feet, to be played rather in the manner of an organ). Gounod was inspired by the talent of the young and apparently very attractive Lucie Palicot (born circa 1860) whom he heard performing Alkan’s music for pedal piano in 1882. Gounod is far better known for his operatic and liturgical compositions: these works show a different side to this nineteenth-century luminary.

Italian pianist Roberto Prosseda makes his debut on Hyperion. He gave the first modern performance of Gounod’s Concerto for pedal piano and orchestra. His pedal piano repertoire also includes the original works by Schumann, Boëly and Alkan and new pieces written for him by Ennio Morricone, Michael Nyman and other contemporary composers.

Reviews

December 2013

Pomp and ceremony were not really Gounod's thing. Much the best bits are the central movements of the Suite Concertante and the Concerto. Excellent performances.

December 2013

it proves to be a real winner. It is also among the very jolliest of piano-and-orchestra recordings to come my way for some time...Given exactly the right light touch and deft execution, abetted by Howard Shelley's stylish accompaniment, Gounod's box of bonbons is an unexpected delight.

13th January 2014

All these pieces are negotiated with enviable skill by Prosseda and accompanied by Howard Shelley, who directs the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana with taste shorn of routine. I doubt I’ll have much occasion to hear these lightweight charmers again, but I’m glad to have made their acquaintance in such committed performances, with a recording to match.

4th November 2013

Throughout the disc, Prosseda is given wonderful support from conductor Howard Shelley, who draws warm, expressive playing from the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana. Highly recommended, especially if you’ve not come across the pedal piano before and are intrigued by the notion. Long may the series continue

The Romantic Piano Concerto 62 - Gounod

CD

Downloads

Contents

Recording of the Week, Works for Pedal Piano by Gounod