Dusapin: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra

Advantages: One of the most Romantic concertos around, full of beautiful melodies and passion
Disadvantages: over-recorded

...major on violins and flutes. After that the music moves in a very similar way as before with the piano taking the theme over, followed by the cymbal accompanied triplet bridge passage that leads to a momentary hint at the first movement's first theme along with references to the Finale's main theme. There is another brief cadenza that culminates with the broad theme in a triumphant C major (Maestoso) with the piano strumming at the top of the orchestral glamour. Now all that is left is to bring the work to a close. With several upward runs on the piano (Risoluto), the scintillating piano is joined by cymbal clashes that finally culminate with Rachmaninov's favourite YUM-pa-ta-TUM cadence in the orchestra. RECORDINGS The Second Concerto has been recorded many times, almost to the point of over-familiarity. But there are some standout... Read review

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Advantages: Great tunes
Disadvantages: Recorded quality and overall blandness

...-nineteenth century music but not pastiche and obviously written in 1992." Nyman opted the use of Scottish folk and popular songs as the basis of the music. And since Ada doesn't speak, the sound of the piano becomes her character, her expressions, her mood, her body language and her unspoken dialogue. The sound quality of the album, unfortunately, is not really that great. The recorded sound, especially with the orchestra, is harsh and lacks subtlety. Moreover, most of the tracks end as if cut short, as if the players suddenly decided to stop playing, tired of trying to get to the end. This sounds very distracting, and ruins some of the best pieces. There are three soloists playing multiple instruments, with Michael Nyman himself playing the piano and conducting the members of the Munich Philharmonic. Apart from the orchestra, the solo piano pieces... Read review

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Advantages: It is simply one of the finest pieces of music ever written
Disadvantages: How dare you ask of any disadvantges!?!

..., and wrote a melody in 9/8 time. In May, Elgar, his wife Alice, and daughter Carice went to their summer residence of Brinkwells, a cottage in Sussex, for some rural relaxation and healing (Elgar loved the countryside). Finally, in August, he suddenly was attacked by a great surge of creativity. He had his piano taken out of storage and wrote a Violin Sonata in E minor, Op.82, which was soon followed by the String Quartet in E minor, Op.83 and Piano Quintet in A minor, Op.84. This sudden surge showed a new streak of creative development in Elgar's music that was more elusive, economical and a million miles away from his bombastic past. The three works were premiered in May 1919, after which Elgar set out on his great summation of this new style (as well as career): the Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85. There is not much documentation... Read review

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