Three major works for piano and orchestra by English composers, all eschewing the traditional nineteenth-century model of a bravura virtuoso soloist pitted against an orchestra, in distinctive ways. Together with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under George Vass, Clare Hammond presents an original programme that provides a unique perspective on how the piano concerto reflected musical currents in mid-twentieth-century Britain.William Walton's Sinfonia Concertante for Orchestra with Piano Obbligato began as a ballet score. After it was rejected by Sergei Diaghilev, Walton arranged his scoreinto a leaner, more direct and more effective work thatreveals the influences of Stravinsky, Poulenc, Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin and, at times, Elgar. Benjamin Britten's Diversions was commissioned by the left-hand pianist Paul Wittgenstein. Enthusiastic about the challenge of writing for the left hand, Britten devised a work in variation form; he did not seek to conceal the soloist's one-handedness, but revelled in it while still retaining emotion and grandeur. Michael Tippett's Piano Concerto completes the programme. Inspired by a performance of Beethoven's Fourth Concerto, Tippett was convinced that a contemporary concerto could be written, 'in which the piano is used once again for it's poetic capabilities'. In his work, the orchestra does not merely accompany; the principal players shine when they get their opportunity for solos or close dialogue with the soloist.

Tracklist:

Sinfonia Concertante for Orchestra with Piano Obbligato~I. Maestoso
Sinfonia Concertante for Orchestra with Piano Obbligato~II. Andante comodo
Sinfonia Concertante for Orchestra with Piano Obbligato~III. Allegro vivo, sempre scherzando
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Theme
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation I. Recitative
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation II. Romance
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation III. March
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation IV. Arabesque
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation V. Chant
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation VI. Nocturne
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation VII. Badinerie
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation VIII. Burlesque
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation IXa. Toccata I
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation IXb. Toccata II
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Variation X. Adagio
Diversions, Op. 21 for piano (left hand) and orchestra~Finale (Variation XI). Tarantella
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra~I. Allegro non troppo
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra~Il. Molto lento e tranquillo
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra~III. Vivace

UPC: 7318599926049
Label: Bis
Release Date: 10.10.25
Format: CD

Clare Hammond - Tippett Britten & Walton (CD)