BEFORE they started knocking down the city for the convenience of
motorists, there was a large building at Charing Cross called the Grand
Hotel.
I had the most awful meal of my life there one Christmas time, but
apart from that I understand that it was the birthplace of
pianist/composer Eugen Francis Charles d'Albert and that there was a
commemorative plaque on the wall.
D'Albert's parentage was not quite Glaswegian, and the considerable
recognition which he attracted throughout his professional life was
mostly gained abroad (as were his six wives, I believe) but one of the
city's illustrious sons he most certainly is.
Last night in the studio at Broadcasting House, Piers Lane gave a
prodigious performance of D'Albert's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B minor
(1884) with the SSO under Thomas Sanderling.
Virtuoso stuff it is indeed -- nearly 50 minutes without a break --
but I was impressed by this first hearing (it's being recorded for
commercial release).
D'Albert was only 20 when he wrote it, but his command of his chosen
medium is considerable though I occasionally found the orchestration a
little heavy-handed.
Lane was masterly in all its many moods -- grand sweeps, delicate
figurations -- and in sheer stamina of course, for there are an awful
lot of notes in the piece. (No. 2 comes next month.)
Tchaikovsky's Suite No. 1 in D minor (Op. 43) was interesting too,
Sanderling's direction was committed and the SSO willing and eager --
the Intermezzo most memorable.
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