Hyperion Records

In the Concerto in A major, composed between 1886 and 1887 and dedicated to his teacher Karl Schäffer, we see a very young composer preoccupied not only with the technical aspects of composition but also with creating a virtuosic vehicle for the soloist. At this early stage as a composer we can already hear the unmistakeable ‘voice’ of Vianna da Motta: there is sometimes an awkward co-existence of styles, with the folk influences of his homeland infiltrating an otherwise Teutonic composition. The piano’s role is technically demanding and unforgiving, but musically rewarding. Again Vianna da Motta’s obvious fondness for variation form is apparent in the second movement. This work was given its world premiere in Portugal on the day before this recording was made, by the same ‘cast’.

from notes by Artur Pizarro © 2000