The Romantic Piano Concerto - 81

EDMUND RUBBRA (1901-1986): Piano Concerto in G, Op. 85, ARTHUR BLISS (1891-1975): Piano Concerto in B Flat, ARNOLD BAX (1883-1953): Morning Song “Maytime in Sussex” for Solo Piano.

Description: Odd that Hyperion chose to include this in their ongoing series but no matter because it’s also odd that the 1956 EMI recording (first released on LP in 1958 and reissued on CD in 2001) is the only other recording of the Rubbra. Unshowy, often quiet and pastoral, it was inspired by the improvisatory performance style of Indian musicians in general and Ali Akbar Khan’s in particular and it deserves a new recording. As approachable as it is on first hearing, it takes a few hearings to unlock its more modest set of charms. Piers Lane (piano), The Orchestra Now; Leon Botstein.