When Lyrita first released this disc in 1984, it was a major revelation for fans of English twentieth century music. Of course, Vaughan Williams was already well known and well loved for "Greensleeves" and "Tallis" Fantasias, but his fierce and forceful Piano Concerto of 1931, considered unsuccessful even by his admirers, had been transformed into the brawny and brutal Two-Piano Concerto in 1946 -- and then dropped from the repertoire. But Howard Shelley's magnificent recording of the original version with Vernon Handley ...
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When Lyrita first released this disc in 1984, it was a major revelation for fans of English twentieth century music. Of course, Vaughan Williams was already well known and well loved for "Greensleeves" and "Tallis" Fantasias, but his fierce and forceful Piano Concerto of 1931, considered unsuccessful even by his admirers, had been transformed into the brawny and brutal Two-Piano Concerto in 1946 -- and then dropped from the repertoire. But Howard Shelley's magnificent recording of the original version with Vernon Handley leading the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra completely overturned that common assumption. Shelley, who was at the same time recording Rachmaninov's complete piano works for Hyperion, tears into the opening Toccata with immense strength and unerring technique, yet he also illuminates the passionate yearning of the central Romanza and especially the serene bliss of the Finale's coda with consummate sensitivity. With Handley's firm support and the Royal Philharmonic's superb playing,...
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Add this copy of Vaughan Williams: Piano Concertos; John Foulds: Dynamic to cart. $30.55, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Lyrita.
