PADEREWSKI PIANO CONCERTO in A minor, Op 17

Fantasie Polonaise for Piano and Orchestra, Op 19
Piano Sonata in E flat minor, Op 21

The Paderewski Piano Concerto is a beautiful work in the romantic style. Written when the composer was about 28 years old, it is dramatic, tuneful, virtuosic, and the work of a very skilled craftsman. At no time does one feel that the music is in any way fabricated as is the case, to one degree or another, with many of the forgotten concerted works of the great virtuoso pianist-composers. The recorded performances that follow are excellent. 

Liszt's influence is clear, as is that of Saint-Saëns and Tchaikovsky, but the concerto generates an excitement all its own and is thoroughly satisfying. There are several very good performances of the Paderewski Piano Concerto below, one could not hope for more enthusiastic readings of the work. but I must single out the one by Jesús María Sanromá, an astonishing pianist about whom little is ever heard these days.

Much the same could be said of the Fantasie Polonaise for Piano and Orchestra, Op 19 that was so appealing to Elgar. It is not difficult to believe that a century ago it was among the most popular works for piano and orchestra in the repertoire. This work is also to be found below.

Paderewski wrote only three large scale works for piano. The third was a piano sonata. Although this is a work for solo piano, I include it here for reference and for those who might be interested in hearing it.

JESÚS MARÍA SANROMÁ
Puerto Rican pianist (1902-1984)

Arthur Fiedler conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra

recorded in 1939 


i Allegro