Henselt/Bronsart Piano Concertos - forthcoming from BIS/Paul Wee

[Wheesht]

Quite. Why on earth they should keep this recording from 2016 hidden away like that in a 'Norwegian special edition' is beyond me.

Should there be a new thread on the Cleve PCs, perhaps?

[Alan Howe]

I took one look at this release and thought: 'Oh, no - it's with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra; I hope this isn't some misguided HIP project!"

[Gareth Vaughan]

Oh dear! So do I.

[Alan Howe]

I may be wrong, but why use a chamber orchestra in this repertoire?

[Gareth Vaughan]

Well, quite. Let's hope we are both wrong and our fears prove unfounded.

[Alan Howe]

Judging by an official photo, the orchestra is 30-strong. Hmm....

[Mark Thomas]

...but the coupling and the prospect of Wee as soloist are beguiling. My fingers are crossed.

[Gareth Vaughan]

Well, the Henselt is scored for an orchestra of: 2.2.2.2 / 2.2.3.0 / timp / strings
The Bronsart calls for an orchestra of: 2.2.2.2 / 4.2.0.0 / timp / strings

So the string section might sound a bit lean. I don't know. We must wait and see.

[Alan Howe]

Dausgaard did the Schumann symphonies with this orchestra - some really liked them, finding them lean and athletic; others (like me) hated them as too insubstantial by half. It all depends what the conductor does with the strings...

[John Boyer]

MacKerras did the Brahms symphonies for Telarc with an orchestra of 50 players, a cycle that was greatly acclaimed and have long since become my favorites.  This allowed for 30 strings, however.  If the SCO is only starting with 30 players total...hmmm indeed.

Sometimes a chamber orchestra fills out with extras for a recording.  Let's hope. 

[hyperdanny]

make no mistake, I too despise HIP travesties of Romantic repertoire, but here I am a little more hopeful.
I have a few recordings with this orchestra (including the Dausgaard Schumann, which I like very much, finding it refreshingly vigorous).
While interpretive choices could and will be a matter of taste, the Norwegians never sounded undernourished (not too much at least) screechy, or in any way grating to the ear. (in the releases I have..)
Cross fingers.