Hyperion Records

The Lamentations and Consolations, Op 17, were published in 1914 by Kistner and Siegel, Leipzig. The eight pieces are divided into two books, the first dedicated to Moriz Rosenthal (who was an early champion of Bortkiewicz’s music and recorded his Étude in D flat, Op 15 No 8) and the second to Mme Vera de Berens. They are among his most characteristic works: intensely melodic with a brooding romanticism often reminiscent of Liszt. They were written around the same time as the first Piano Concerto, Op 16, and there are many similarities in the piano-writing between the two works.

from notes by Stephen Coombs © 2000