Catalogue

Summary:

“Briggs gives a wonderfully balanced reading of music that seems familiar – in its classical poise and charm – and strange…Kenneth Woods and the Royal Northern Sinfonia accompany superbly…with crystal-clear sound, this is [a] most enjoyable concerto disc” – Gramophone

“Wood’s deft handling of the orchestral textures is a perfect foil to Briggs’ adroit virtuosity…at one point, time almost stands still, and the pianist’s pellucid tone is raptly intense.” – MusicWeb International

Bringing to light another of Hans Gál’s gorgeously melodic and finely crafted scores, AVIE presents the world premiere recording of the Austrian émigré’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with English pianist Sarah Beth Briggs supported by Gál aficionado Kenneth Woods conducting the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Written in 1948, Gál’s large-scale romantic concerto abounds with sweeping phrases and pyrotechnics, yet at the heart of the piece lies the composer’s signature clarity and precision, making the work an ideal coupling for his 18th century Viennese compatriot Mozart’s great E-flat major concerto of 1785.

Tracklist:

HANS GÁL (1890–1987)

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 57 (32.28)
1. I. Allegro energico ma non troppo (11.43)
2. II. Adagio (11.07)
3. III. Allegretto vivace (9.38)
(world premiere recording)

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756–1791)

Piano Concerto No.22 in E flat, K482 (35.52)
4. I. Allegro* (14.06)
5. II. Andante (8.59)
6. III. Allegro* (12.47)
*Cadenzas: Denis Matthews

Total duration: 68.53

Sarah Beth Briggs, piano
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Kenneth Woods, conductor (1–3)
Bradley Creswick co-director (4–6)

Recording: 12–14 January 2016, Hall One, Sage Gateshead, England
Recording produced, engineered and edited by Simon Fox-Gál