A Blueprint to the Mandolin

I just listened to Hummel's Mandolin Concerto a few days earlier. I had no idea it was a reworking of an earlier Concertino.

The Piano Concertino in G Major is so much more enjoyable for the sheer range of expression compared to the other. Yet, how often does one hear a mandolin with an orchestra? How often does one hear a mandolin period?

However, it is the Piano Concerto in A-flat Major which wowed me here. It is a major work, and if I compare it to Beethoven, it is only in the overall scope of the work. Not only is the piano more virtuosic, the orchestra really comes into its own, interacting with the soloist.

Hummel has oodles of ideas for tunes, he loves venturing into distant keys for color purposes, and the final 'Spagniola' mvt. is an absolute blast! If this is the case with each of the composer's piano concertos, I will be happy indeed!

A review from 2024

Hummel’s Piano Concertino in G Major was the blueprint for his later Mandolin Concerto. It is a work of Classical Era delicacy and elegance. The piano makes a much stronger case for the work, as opposed to the mandolin, with more chances of emotional range, although the mandolin is a timbre not often heard with orchestra.

If the Concertino is a delight, the Piano Concerto in A-flat Major is the real deal. The scale of the work is larger, but so are the demands on the pianist. Hummel goes further afield harmonically as well, plus he offers some banter between orchestral soloists and the piano, which the other works here do not have. Its proportions reminded me of Beethoven, although Hummel is a little too gleeful and Classically poised for too much comparison. It is also quite rare on record as well.

The Gesellschafts-Rondo is a rarely heard concertante work which is gloomy for its opening half, but perks up for the latter half.

Howard Shelley leads from the piano with a reduced modern instrument orchestra. It all works rather well, and the Chandos sonics seem up to the task, despite the London church location. None of the works offered here are rampant on recordings, so it is nice to have this series available.

Listen on YouTube

Works
Piano Concertino (16.25)
Piano Concerto in A-flat (29.44)
Gesellschafts-Rondo (12.47)

Performers
Howard Shelley, piano
London Mozart Players

Label: Chandos
Year: 1997
Total Timing: 59.08

Each in the Chandos Hummel series pairs a major work with lighter fare.

That is why each entry rarely scores at the top of the heap. Yet, I am thankful for all of the Hummel music available to me.

 

 

 

 

Find more Hummel recordings HERE!