Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun

Writing a Double Concerto would be tough, I imagine. Who gets to play what when, how much together, how much apart, etc.?

Here, Hummel's Concerto for Piano and Violin, should probably be titled Piano Concerto with obbligato violin.

I can't fault Hummel, who I assume wrote this work for touring as a piano soloist. He probably ran into all sorts of wonderful and terrible violin soloists to have to play with. So, shorten the violin portions and allow the worst to focus their skills on fewer passages.

The one high point is the 1st movement cadenza, an extended portion for the piano and violin to work together. It is a terrific moment in a rather lightweight piece.

As with the others in this series, the Piano Concerto is the work which summons the most musicality and range of the pianist and orchestra.

A review from 2024

Most of Hummel’s piano concertos are major keyed, reveling in elegance and regalities. I enjoy it so when the composer bursts into portions of minor-keyed moodiness, for the element missing from these works are some angst.

What the piano concertos do revel in are impressive pianistic displays of virtuosity and sensitivity, ably portrayed by Howard Shelley. Furthermore, Hummel was smart enough to allow the orchestra to banter with the soloist, creating an able conversation for the listener.

The Double Concerto for piano and violin, is a very delicate work, not necessarily the Romanticism pre-cursor I prefer from Hummel. For all intents and purposes, this work should be titled a Piano Concerto with occasional violin, for the piano is the most active. The centerpiece is a wonderful cadenza in the first movement for both players.

As with the others in the Chandos Hummel series, the playing is exemplary. Only in the Double Concerto do I sense the church acoustic, whereas the balances in the Piano Concerto are ideal. Otherwise this is fine music to get to know from Hummel, moreso the Piano Concerto in E Major. 

 Listen on YouTube

Works
Piano Concerto 4 in E Major (30.51)
Double Concerto in G Major (32.05)

Soloists
Hagai Shaham, violin
Howard Shelley, piano

Ensemble
London Mozart Players
Howard Shelley, conductor

Label: Chandos
Year: 1998
Total Timing: 63.08

 

Love these Piano Concertos, but the accompanying works continue to be rather light.

Can't fault any of the performers however, as they bring this music into the best possible light.

Here, some might prefer the period performance on Brilliant Classics.

 

 

Find more Hummel recordings HERE!