Dohnanyi: 4 Rhapsodies Op. 11; 3 Pieces, Op. 23; 4 Pieces, Op. 2; Pastorale

Dohnanyi: 4 Rhapsodies Op. 11; 3 Pieces, Op. 23; 4 Pieces, Op. 2; Pastorale

Ernö Dohnányi is best-known for his Variations on a Nursery Song for piano and orchestra – Romantic, virtuoso music very close to Rachmaninov but coloured by the influence of Brahms. Brahms is even more strongly felt on Dohnányi’s Op. 2 on this disc, and he still haunts the later and better-known Rhapsodies. By the time of the Op. 23 pieces, the latest music represented, the real Dohnányi might be expected to stand up, but he still hides behind bigger figures. In an anonymous way, his music epitomises the late-Romantic style of central Europe in all its luscious fluency.

Our rating

5

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:35 pm

COMPOSERS: Dohnanyi
LABELS: ASV
WORKS: 4 Rhapsodies Op. 11; 3 Pieces, Op. 23; 4 Pieces, Op. 2; Pastorale
PERFORMER: Martin Roscoe (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: CD DCA 863 DDD

Ernö Dohnányi is best-known for his Variations on a Nursery Song for piano and orchestra – Romantic, virtuoso music very close to Rachmaninov but coloured by the influence of Brahms. Brahms is even more strongly felt on Dohnányi’s Op. 2 on this disc, and he still haunts the later and better-known Rhapsodies. By the time of the Op. 23 pieces, the latest music represented, the real Dohnányi might be expected to stand up, but he still hides behind bigger figures. In an anonymous way, his music epitomises the late-Romantic style of central Europe in all its luscious fluency. Martin Roscoe – always a strong pianist – plays with warmth and weight and puts the best possible case for Dohnányi as a serious composer. Serious he may have been, but certainly no original. Adrian Jack





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