Parry & Stanford: Piano Concertos

Parry was indebted to the grand Romantic tradition of the late nineteenth century, and his colourful and exuberant concerto probably lays claim to be the first British piece written in such a style worthy of comparison with contemporary continental models. It is a virtuoso work, extrovertly conceived for piano and undoubtedly written for the technical proficiency of Edward Dannreuther, one of the most important exponents of the grand concerto style in London during the 1870s and 1880s.

Stanford deliberately set out for his concerto to be ‘of a bright and butterfly nature’ to contrast with the usual epic tradition of the late nineteenth century. Much to the composer’s regret, the concerto was never published even though, as this recording bears out, it testifies to all that is distinctive, eloquent and craftsmanly in Stanford’s instrumental work. Having languished unperformed for a hundred years, these two concertos are here recorded for the first time.

CDA66820  72 minutes 49 seconds
‘Splendid, eloquent performances in clear, warm sound plus Jeremy Dibble's scholarly notes full of insights about the period of these compositions makes this an issue not to be missed. One is left du ...
‘I cannot conceive of a better performance of these two long-neglected concertos … [I] urge you to take a first step in the rehabilitation of two highly attractive piano concertos by acquiring th ...
‘Likeable works which are given performances of such conviction that one is thoroughly carried along’ (The Scotsman)