Franz Reizenstein
Piano Concerto no.2 in F (1961)
i. Allegro moderato
ii. Andante tranquillo
iii Allegro ma non troppo

Victor Sangiorgio (piano)

Stanley Bate

Piano Concerto no.2 in C major op.28 (1940)
i. Allegro di bravura
ii. Andante affetuoso
iii. Finale: Andante maestoso Allegro vivace

Victor Sangiorgio (piano)

Sinfonietta no.1 op.22 (1938)
i. Presto
ii. Andante
iii. Presto
iv. Andante Presto

Royal National Scottish Orchestra
Martin Yates (conductor)

World Premiere Recordings

The public response to Dutton Epoch's exploration of the orchestral music of Stanley Bate has been very positive, and there will surely be new enthusiasts for this fourth volume, which features the Second Piano Concerto and the First Sinfonietta, coupled with another Dutton Epoch discovery, the music of Franz Reizenstein whose Second Piano Concerto is grippingly played by Victor Sangiorgio. Here Dutton Epoch celebrates the centenary of the birth of both composers: Bate born in Plymouth, Reizenstein in Nuremberg (and coming to the UK in 1934). Stanley Bate's scores date from 1938 and 1940, and his Concerto is characterised by its relentless energy and onward drive. Bate was a man who readily absorbed what was new, and if we sense the occasional flavour of Hindemith and the Shostakovich First Piano Concerto (complete with obbligato trumpet in the finale) in the fast music, and the lyricism of Poulenc in the slow movement, we also quickly recognise the ebullient voice of Bate himself in two scores that just precede his celebrated Third Symphony. Franz Reizenstein was one of the many composers and musicians who were forced to leave Germany when the Nazis came to power. Reizenstein wrote in all forms, with much piano music and chamber music. The Second Piano Concerto, perhaps briefly his most popular orchestral work, was first performed by the composer at a BBC broadcast concert from Maida Vale on 7 June 1961. Published in 1962, it was seen as an approachable modern work, and indeed pianist Victor Sangiorgio brings a romantic sweep to his performance, which is surely what the composer intended.

“The two piano concertos here, steeped in mid-20th-century rhetoric ...”

“Sangiorgio is a real virtuoso and these performances under Martin Yates are truly outstanding.”

Peter Dickinson, Gramophone, April 2012

“Three world premiere recordings of lively and very agreeable music ... Victor Sangiorgio plays the solo parts ... with panache ... affection and reflectiveness. Martin Yates ... built up a notable rapport with the RSNO, which gives bravura accounts of all three.”

“British music buffs are hardly going to hestitate, and neither should any other prospective buyer.”

Calum MacDonald, International Record Review, February 2012

“Dutton’s first-rate sonics and fine playing from all concerned – especially pianist Victor Sangiorgio, outstanding in this strenuous program – bring this long-lost music to vivid life.”
Lehman, American Record Guide, May/June 2012

“... highly enjoyable ... no hestitation is required to acquire this disc.”
Paul A. Snook, Fanfare, May/June 2012