Stanford's Piano Concerto No. 2: best British piano concerto of all?

[Nick Armstrong]

I haven't heard a piano concerto by a British composer that I preferred to Birtwistle's Antiphonies or those of Michael Finnissy's piano concertos that aren't just for solo piano, particularly nos. 2 and 3.

I think those are the only ones mentioned which I haven't heard, will try and make that good, thanks.

I rather like Bliss's concerto for two pianos.

But not the Stanford, Stanfordian?

[ahinton]

Tippett indeed (although the piano writing is for the most part about as clumsy as his ever gets - not that one would ever notice without setting fingers on it!) and Bliss up to a point, but what about Bowen? Bush? Dillon?...

[mrbouffant]

Tippett indeed (although the piano writing is for the most part about as clumsy as his ever gets - not that one would ever notice without setting fingers on it!) and Bliss up to a point, but what about Bowen? Bush? Dillon?...

in addition..
Arnold (Piano Duet), Arnold (Three Hands at Two Pianos), Arnold (John Field Fantasy - essentially a one movement piano concerto)

saying that, I'm quite fond of the Alwyn no. 1 and no. 2 (Chandos or Naxos recordings, take your pick...) and the Howard Blake is pleasant enough if you like that kind of thing...

[EdgeleyRob]

in addition..
Arnold (Piano Duet), Arnold (Three Hands at Two Pianos), Arnold (John Field Fantasy - essentially a one movement piano concerto)

saying that, I'm quite fond of the Alwyn no. 1 and no. 2 (Chandos or Naxos recordings, take your pick...) and the Howard Blake is pleasant enough if you like that kind of thing...

Me too

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

William Sterndale Bennett's Piano Concerto no. 1 (1832) is rather good (as is the John Martin painting - note the vertical joins visible, despite restoration).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=115&v=0Hc4OrU9qF0

[mrbouffant]

William Sterndale Bennett's Piano Concerto no. 1 (1832) is rather good (as is the John Martin painting - note the vertical joins visible, despite restoration).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=115&v=0Hc4OrU9qF0

Ah yes, good call. I have all of those Sterndale Bennetts and enjoy the E flat one most (?no. 2)

[ahinton]

as is the John Martin painting - note the vertical joins visible, despite restoration

Worth it for that alone!

[Bryn]

I'd go for John Ireland, but maybe that's because I don't know the Stanford.

I have the Elgar/Walker, but that seems to me to be very poor in comparison with the Elgar/Payne symphony.

Much as I love the Ireland Piano Concerto, I have to concede it to be just that bit too derivative of the Prokofiev 3 to gain top place. That, for me, must go to the Alan Bush.

[Serial_Apologist]

Tippett indeed (although the piano writing is for the most part about as clumsy as his ever gets - not that one would ever notice without setting fingers on it!) and Bliss up to a point, but what about Bowen? Bush? Dillon?...

Thanks for the Bush reminder Alister: in the absence of challengers (British composers do seem somewhat wanting for notable pc's) this one would have to be my choice, much as i do love the slighter Ireland. Alexander Goehr's in pretty good, and I'd recommend it for people with prejudices towards 12-tone music. I didn't know James Dillon had composed ...one?

[ahinton]

Much as I love the Ireland Piano Concerto, I have to concede it to be just that bit too derivative of the Prokofiev 3 to gain top place. That, for me, must go to the Alan Bush.

I imagine that quite a few others would recognise that a good choice if only they'd actually heard it; it's had few performances so far and it's been played by only a tiny handful of pianists including the composer who, as you'll know, premièred it.

Then there's Sorabji 5 (the only one so far to have been performed)...

[ahinton]

I didn't know James Dillon had composed ...one?

He doesn't actually call it that, but Andromeda is pretty much one...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks for the Bush reminder Alister: in the absence of challengers (British composers do seem somewhat wanting for notable pc's) this one would have to be my choice, much as i do love the slighter Ireland. Alexander Goehr's in pretty good, and I'd recommend it for people with prejudices towards 12-tone music. I didn't know James Dillon had composed ...one?

Andromeda.

ahinton might also have suggested that one would have to go through the Continents to find another good British Piano Concerto (or two).

Don't know the Bush

[Serial_Apologist]

Andromeda.

ahinton might also have suggested that one would have to go through the Continents to find another good British Piano Concerto (or two).

Don't know the Bush

It's kind of Irelandish in its harmonic language, like a lot of Bush (he's studied under Ireland), and I find there's a tinge of Hindemith as well. But the piece is possibly best known for the story attaching to the choral finale, with words by Randolph Swingler (nothing to do with the Swingle Singers) exhorting the working people of the world to overthrow the capitalist system so arousing the audience at the premiere that conductor Sir Adrian Boult was moved to order that the orchestra strike up the National Anthem without a moment's delay!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

[ahinton]

Andromeda.

ahinton might also have suggested that one would have to go through the Continents to find another good British Piano Concerto (or two).

I could indeed - but I was rather hoping that someone else might do that (and I have evidently not hoped in vain!)...

Don't know the Bush

Well, that's hardly surprising as there's no commercial recording of it and it's now been performed for quite a few years.