Piano Concerto In C Sharp For Left Hand

Super-virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin plays two of the lushest products of late Romanticism. The Marx concerto, long awaited by pianophiles the world over, is a first recording. Written in the 1930s, it is perhaps closest in style to Richard Strauss with its gushing melodies and rich orchestration. The Korngold left-hand concerto was written (like that of Ravel) for Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein who had lost his right arm during the First World War. It is Korngold at his most experimental and features a very large and colourful orchestra, and a particularly demanding (and awkward) piano part.

GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE ; DIAPASON D'OR

'A superb coupling … the frankly outrageous challenges set by these unfailingly inventive scores are overcome by Hamelin with a nonchalance bordering on effrontery. A revelation' (Piano International)

'Mesmerising playing from Hamelin in two fascinating late-romantic concertos. Enthusiasts for virtuoso piano writing of the most fearsome difficulty will find it impossible not to be overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of Hamelin's playing' (Classic CD)

'All the most wildly romantic concertos you can think of rolled into one huge pianistic feat' (Gramophone)

'One of the most memorable in Hyperion's much-valued Romantic Piano Concerto series' (The Scotsman)

'Exceptional pianism' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Heroic piano playing of monumental proportions' (In Tune, Japan/USA)

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Recording details: June 1997; City Halls, Candleriggs, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Produced by Martin Compton; Engineered by Tony Faulkner; Release date: February 1998; DISCID: A80F2B0D;