Josef HAYDN
Piano Concerto in D, Hob XVIII/11
Piano Concerto in F Hob XVIII/3
Max KÜHN
Piano Concierto de Tenerife, for Piano and Large Orchestra
Warren Thew
(Piano)
Camerata Zurich/Räto Tschupp
Rec. Alstetten Church; Zurich 29 & 31 January 1972 (Haydn) and January
1976 (Kuhn - day not stated)
GUILD GMCD 7206
[59.12]
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recommendations
The two Haydn piano concertos played here are probably the best of Haydn's
music in this format and appear to be well documented as being written by
the Master himself. They are well played by Warren Thew and the orchestra
who adopt a forthright attitude which results in the works sounding akin
to early Beethoven. This works well and listening to these two concertos
is a pleasant experience although the composer here does not produce such
memorable tunes as he does in so many of his symphonies. Haydn, unlike Mozart,
was not a professional concert pianist and this probably accounts for his
relative lack of interest in keyboard concertos.
Max Kühn was born in Zurich in April 1896 and was active in that city
as composer, organist, conductor and as a Teacher at the Zurich Music Academy.
He died in 1994. The Concerto for Tenerife for piano and large orchestra
was written in that island in 1961-2. It has three short movements and is
a lyrical piece with contrapuntal episodes. The first movement is dramatic
in style and leads to an intense second movement. The final movement is based
on a rhythmic dance with a touch of Spain about it. It is an attractive work
which forms an interesting contrast to the two Haydn Concertos.
The recordings were made in the 1970s and although good for their period
are not outstanding. In particular, the Kühn concerto does not sound
as if it is being played by a "large orchestra" (perhaps it wasn't). The
cover picture is an artistic representation of the second movement of the
Concerto. The documentation relating to Max Kühn, his concerto and also
the pianist is fascinating and there is a brief exposition on the Haydn
concertos.
Arthur Baker.
