Moritz Moszkowski: Complete Music for Solo Piano, Volume Two
Although Moritz Moszkowski (1854–1925) wrote a considerable quantity of piano music, only a single piece, ‘Étincelles’, made it into the repertoire, not least because Horowitz enjoyed playing it. The early works on this second instalment in Ian Hobson’s survey of Moszkowski’s complete music for solo piano reveal a debt to Mendelssohn and Schumann, but the effortless craftsmanship heard here already justifies a later remark of Paderewski’s: ‘After Chopin, Moszkowski best understands how to write for the piano, and his writing embraces the whole gamut of piano technique’. Most of the pieces in Opp. 15 and 18 are attractive salon miniatures, but the Three Piano Pieces in Dance Form, Op. 17, are extended Lisztian essays that showcase Moszkowski’s mastery of the keyboard and his command of form.
Ian Hobson, piano
Listen To This Recording:
- No. 1 Serenata
- No. 2 Arabeske
- No. 3 Mazurka
- No. 4 Canon
- No. 5 Walzer
- No. 6 Barcarole
- No. 1 Polonaise
- No. 2 Menuett
- No. 3 Walzer
- No. 1 Melodie
- No. 2 Scherzino
- No. 3 Étude
- No. 4 Marcia
- No. 5 Polonaise
Sechs Stücke, Op. 15 (1877)*
Drei Clavierstücke in Tanzform Op. 17 (1878)
Fünf Clavierstücke, Op. 18 (1878)
ALL EXCEPT * FIRST RECORDINGS
Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review :
‘Doing the honors on piano is Ian Hobson, and he seems fully in the elements of the music for flow and melodic thrust. […]
As the liners tell us, Moszkowski in his day was almost entirely known for his “Spanish Dances” for piano duet, then his solo piano “Serenata” which opens this volume as the first part of the “Sechs Stucke,” op 15. That is a nice way to begin, relatively simple and lyrical. The program then goes on from strength-to-strength, with interpretations that heighten the beauty of the various pieces, plus give us pause to appreciate the charm and winning warmth of it all.’
There is no substitute for the direct appreciation of these works by repeated listens. It rewards you with a singing sort of contentment that affirms his continual freshness if we listen without an idea of what we will hear. I do recommend this one heartily. Get it and enjoy the ride!’
—Grego Applegate Edwards, Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review
Fanfare :
‘An Hobson once again proves himself as a master of creating moods appropriate to the varying character of these pieces, and creates a rewarding experience for the purchaser of this disc, which deserves wide sales and hearing. Highly recommended.’
—Fanfare
WTJU :
‘Ian Hobson plays admirably. […]
Moszkowski was a virtuoso pianist, so he wrote a lot of piano music. There are definitely more volumes to come! I look forward to hearing them.’
—Ralph Graves, WTJU