Henselt Concerto | A Talk by Lewenthal

[abel2]

Not sure if this has been posted here before but I came across this fascinating talk on youtube about the Henselt Piano Concerto by Raymond Lewenthal (one of the few people to record it). It talks about Henselt's links to Rachmaninoff and Thalberg, and even bashes Schumann! I found it very interesting so I thought I'd post it here.

[mjames]

I honestly don't get what this site sees in this concerto, it's as bland as the Schumann everyone hates on.

[abel2]

I honestly don't get what this site sees in this concerto, it's as bland as the Schumann everyone hates on.

I love it! There's several motives that really speak to me. I feel a lot of passion and power from the concerto. The Schumann, on the other hand, doesn't even feel like a concerto. It's like a glass of tepid water

[ahinton]

I love it! There's several motives that really speak to me. I feel a lot of passion and power from the concerto. The Schumann, on the other hand, doesn't even feel like a concerto. It's like a glass of tepid water

That description sounds to me like an unwarranted compliment; apologies to all who disagree and who love that most turgid and tiresome of Schumann's concertos, but I really am of the view that it's among the very worst things that he ever wrote (there's a few moments of loveliness in its middle movement but not enough to make up for all the dross that surrounds them, IMHO).

Best,

Alistair

[mjames]

I don't like the Schumann but I don't like the Henselt either. I was introduced to it 3 years ago and I still don't get it. I think it's pretty boring, the only noteworthy thing about it is its difficulty.

Lewenthal's comments are still interesting though. I talked a bit about instinctive and intellectual composers before, but in different terms, guys have any idea about which composers (with pieces as examples) would fit either or both of these categories? Aside from Henselt ofc.

[perfect_pitch]

Sadly enough - I have to disagree... I've been listening to a playlist of rather unknown Concertos and this one appeared on it, despite the fact that I've known about it for a few months now.

The thing is - I believe that the melodies do quite blend nicely together, while some of the lesser known concertos seem rather melodically plain, boring, sporadic or cobbled together.

The last 2 minutes of the first movement are a HELL of a roller-coaster ride. I myself don't like Rachmaninoff's 1st and 4th piano concertos because again, to me - the melodies are a little lackluster and don't have the cohesion that the 2nd and 3rd do (even though they are overplayed).

[georgey]

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[georgey]

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