PADEREWSKI CONCERTO in A MINOR OPUS 17 and Fantasie Polonaise for Piano and Orchestra Op 19
The Paderewski Concerto for piano and orchestra is a beautiful work in the romantic style. Written when the composer was about 28 years old, it is dramatic, tuneful, virtuosic, and the work of a very skilled craftsman. At no time does one feel that the music is in any way fabricated as is the case, to one degree or another, with many of the forgotten concerted works of the great virtuoso pianist-composers. The recorded performances that follow are excellent. One could not hope for more enthusiastic readings of the work. Unfortunately, I could fine only the first two movements of the performance of the Paderewski concerto by Piers Lane.
Liszt's influence is clear, as is that of Saint-Saens and Tchaikovsky, but the concerto generates an excitement all its own and is thoroughly satisfying.
Much the same could be said of the Fantasie Polonaise for Piano and Orchestra Op.19 that was so appealing to Elgar. This work is also to be found below.
Piano Concerto in A minor Op 17 Earl Wild, piano Arthur Fiedler conducting the London Symphony Orchestra Recorded in 1970
i Allegro (beginning)
i Allegro (conclusion)
ii Romanze
iii Finale: Allegro molto vivace
Piano Concerto in A minor Op 17 Piers Lane, piano Jerzy Maksymiuk conducting the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Recorded in 1970
i Allegro (beginning)
i Allegro (conclusion)
ii Romanze
Fantasie Polonaise for Piano and Orchestra Op.19 Thomas Tirino Michael Bartos conducting the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Recorded in 1970
