Howells : The Winchester Service. Bell.

Piano International (Mar, 2012)
Hyperion’s series of Romantic Piano Concertos reaches its 56th volume with this issue. Kalkbrenner’s First and Fourth Concertos were issued back in 2006. Perhaps Nos 2 and 3 were deferred because of the somewhat workaday nature of the opening of the Second Concerto (1826). Even the devotion of the Tasmanians cannot save it, and though short, it seems overlong.

When he enters, Shelley reminds us of why he is so suited to this repertoire: the sparkling passagework is impeccably and suavely delivered. Interaction between piano and orchestra is beautiful: the flute additions to the piano’s ornamentation are delightful. Yet there remains plenty of padding; better is the leisurely expansion of the …