This is the second issue in Hyperion's Romantic Piano Concerto series dedicated to Moscheles and I can safely say that it is one of the most entertaining discs in this admirable collection.
The First Concerto is quite Mozartian in style and Shelley sails through the solo part with effortless aplomb. The lithe spirit is somewhat changed for the Sixth Concerto which is a full blown four movement work containing much barnstorming and magnificence all around.
However the highlight of the disc is definitely the magnificent Seventh Concerto that compresses three short movements into twenty two minutes of memorable tunes and solo acrobatics. Shelley plays and directs with evident passion as the music is dear to his heart, or so it seems here.
The ABC sound is as mellifluous and direct as one could expect and the copious notes are also a welcome addition to the catalogue – an unqualified recommendation to all pianophiles.
Copyright © 2003, Gerald Fenech