Lloyd: Piano Concerto 4 & Cello Concerto

 

In the new Lyrita George Lloyd Signature Series set, the composer's Cello Concerto comes on a disc of its own, with his Violin Concertos paired together to complete that set of string concertos.

I really liked those two violin concertante works, and the Cello Concerto falls right in line with them. It seems a more personal work, where the first utterance is for solo cello alone, a strong opening statement from the composer.

Spread into seven sections without break, this is essentially a one-movement piece with many varied parts. Altogether, I get the feeling of rather beautiful, willowy music, one which prefers to seduce through lyricism rather than anything boisterous or in-your-face.

There are a few noticeably upbeat portions to this music, and as always, George Lloyd is adept with an orchestra and its colors. All the same, he seems more interested in the songfulness of the cello over any grandstanding or technical cello wizardry.

Recorded after the composer's death, David Alan Miller leads the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and rather strongly at that. I remember a particular surge where Albany and Miller really poured on the sauce, and I was struck by their full attention to Lloyd's Neo-Romantic idiom. Cellist Anthony Ross sounds up to the task as well, while Albany Records manages the balances between all parties very well.

The last of Lloyd's piano concertos bears a similar beat and style. Whereas his first three piano concertos were gruff, frowny works, he lets up on the darkness in his last entry in the genre.

Piano Concerto no. 4 prefers broad, Romantic gestures instead of frantic paces. The first two movements (of 3) are similar in approach, the first dwelling in brash Rachmaninov-flavored motions, while second has a touch more melancholy and yearning nostalgia.

The third movement contains an outright perky melody, but even it is waylaid for long-breathed, soaring lines. I appreciate the difference in Lloyd's Fourth Piano Concerto, as his angry tone in the previous three was not a favorite of mine.

What a surprise to have the high-profile London Symphony Orchestra here. George Lloyd leads as surely as he does his symphonies and other works, and pianist Kathryn Stott is a strong contender in its music.

This is the last recording I am covering in my George Lloyd series for a while, and what a fitting end. Music history is full of overlooked masterpieces, and Lloyd is but one name on a long list. Thankfully, Albany, Conifer, and Lyrita slammed on the accelerator to give us as many recordings as they did from George Lloyd. One can hope they eventually make their way to the concert stage.

Works
Piano Concerto 4 (37.27)
Cello Concerto (29.40)

Soloists
Anthony Ross, cello
Kathryn Stott, piano

Performers
London Symphony Orchestra
    George Lloyd, conductor
Albany Symphony Orchestra
    David Alan Miller, conductor

Label: Albany
Year: 1988 & 2001

Find more Lloyd recordings HERE!