It was after hearing the premiere of Joubert's First Symphony given by the Hull Philharmonic under Vilem Tausky in Hull City Hall on April 12, 1956 that Russian-born pianist Iso Elinson invited the composer to write him a Piano Concerto. Completed in the summer of 1958, the resulting score is dedicated to Elinson, who gave the first performance of the work with the HallÃ© Orchestra under George Weldon on January 11, 1959 in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester. In keeping with Joubert's instinctively symphonic approach to large-scale forms, the concerto is more of a sinfonia concertante than a bravura vehicle for pianistic display. The idea for a musico-dramatic work based on Charlotte BrontÃ«'s novel Jane Eyre originated in the early 1980s, when the composer took early retirement from the University of Birmingham. This was a labor of love which he embarked upon unprompted and without the security of a commission. Dedicated to the opera's librettist Kenneth Birkin and his wife Inge, Symphony No.3 on themes from the opera "Jane Eyre", Op.178 (2014-17), reworks the five orchestral interludes as five symphonic movements. Originally written for chamber orchestral forces, the material has been re-scored by the composer for a full symphony orchestra.

Tracklist:

Piano Concerto, Op. 25: I. Allegro
Piano Concerto, Op. 25: II. Lento
Piano Concerto, Op. 25: III. Lento Allegro Vivace
Symphony No. 3, Op. 178 On Themes From The Opera Jane Eyre: I. Lowood School - Lento
Symphony No. 3, Op. 178 On Themes From The Opera Jane Eyre: II. Thornfield House - Andante Allegro
Symphony No. 3, Op. 178 On Themes From The Opera Jane Eyre: III. Thornfield Church - Andante Allegro
Symphony No. 3, Op. 178 On Themes From The Opera Jane Eyre: IV. Whitecross Rectory - Lento Allegro
Symphony No. 3, Op. 178 On Themes From The Opera Jane Eyre: V. Thornfield Park - Allegro

UPC: 5020926036728
Label: Lyrita
Release Date: 9.7.18
Format: CD

BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Piano Concerto / Symphony 3 (CD)