MIRIAM HYDE (1913-2005): Piano Concertos No. 1 in E Flat Minor and No. 2 in C Sharp Minor, Village Fair (Sydney Symphony Orchestra; Dobbs Franks).

Description: These concertos would easily fit into Hyperion's "Romantic Piano Concerto" series. Hyde was very conservative, with Rachmaninov the main influence although, having studied in England (with R.O. Morris and Gordon Jacob), there are moments which might recall Bax and Bowen also. The First is from 1934 and Hyde performed it with the Royal Philharmonic and Leslie Heward conducting while the Second comes from just after the war when she was back in Australia (these recordings were made in 1975). The 11-minute Village Fair is a "Festive Overture"-type of work dating from 1943. Miriam Hyde (piano), West Australian Symphony Orchestra;  Geoffrey Simon. Original 1995 release.