Hermann Grädener - Piano Concerto in D minor op. 20

[Ilja]

I think that's how I'm going to play it in future, I think. The finale's not the worst, but the Adagio's utterly forgettable.

The first-movement-heavyness appears to have been anything but uncommon at the time; there are numerous concertos where the it surpasses the length of the other two movements by some margin: Tchaikovsky No. 1 of course (1875), Sgambati (1880), Urspruch and Scharwenka #2  (1881) and Vogrich (1888) to name a few.

[eschiss1]

... you mean the other two movements individually, yes? Because the Tchaik 1's first movement is often around the length of the other two movements combined, but not substantially greater than that. Likewise Martucci concerto 2. Maybe Jaëll's 2nd concerto?

[tuatara442442]

It is very common for 19th century concerti to have a very long first movement and, in comparison, very short latter movements, especially the Classically-formed kind with a "full-length" opening tutti.

[Ilja]

... you mean the other two movements individually, yes? Because the Tchaik 1's first movement is often around the length of the other two movements combined, but not substantially greater than that. Likewise Martucci concerto 2. Maybe Jaëll's 2nd concerto?

That may be true for some older recordings, most notably the classic Richter/Karajan (22/11/11 minutes), but modern Tchaikovsky PC1s typically seem to have the first movement at 20-24 minutes, and the other two combined around 14-16 minutes. And both Cliburn/Kondrashin and the much newer Hough/Vänskä (in the Hyperion RPC series) have it at 20/6/7. That's a pretty substantial gap.  

[semloh]

Regarding the 1st mnt.yes...

Perhaps it would have been more successful as a stand alone, single-movement, Konzertstück?

especially since, as you say Ilja, the 2nd mnt. is quite forgettable and the 3rd so-so. That said, I really enjoyed the journey, and I agree that it showcases some impressive musical creativity, albeit rather out of control. It sounds like an excellent performance, too. So. I'll be back for more.

[tuatara442442]

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9874886--mathilde-kralik-von-meyrswalden-hermann-gradener
The Gradener PC and Kralik Symphony in this broadcast will be published by Haenssler on August 21st.

[terry martyn]

I was disappointed in his violin concertos, but,so far,I haven't found an active link to his piano concerto,to which I would prefer to listen before blind-purchasing.

[Ilja]

It seems that - for understandable reasons - the radio broadcast has been taken offline. The Presto page has some soundbites, though.

[terry martyn]

Thanks!

Have to say, the soundbites don't seem bad to me. I can't say that I am attracted to the coupling, but ,on balance, I think I will order.

[Ilja]

If I were you, and knowing your preferences, I'd wait until the whole thing is on YouTube and try it out there. The Kralik is not in the same league as the earlier Spinnato recording in my view (mainly due to the soprano, but not exclusively), and opinion on the Grädener concerto is quite divided.

[terry martyn]

That's good advice, Ilja, especially as I don't want the accompanying symphony.  But the concerto is taking an eternity to appear....

[terry martyn]

I still can't find it on YouTube.   A pity that the radio broadcast was so quickly deleted.

[Mark Thomas]

The playlist is on YouTube here, Terry.

[terry martyn]

Thanks,Mark!

I thought we might be in for a noblimente wallow at the outset,with the orchestra,not the piano,running away with the "big tune".  The concerto as a whole didn't quite live up to my high expectations after that, but I thought it cohered,and was rather fun.

I won't rush to buy it,but it will be in my batch of Christmas presents to myself.