Composer: Ahmed Adnan Saygun
Performer: Gülsin Onay
Orchestra: Bilkent Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Howard Griffiths
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: CPO
Catalogue: 777289-2
Release: 2008
Size: 202 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 34
01. I. Deciso – Moderato – Vivo – Animato – Meno mosso – Cadenza. Rubato – Deciso – Moderato – Vivo – Molto vivo
02. II. Andante con moto – Sostenuto – Tempo primo
03. III. Allegro assai
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 71
04. I. Moderato – Presto – Allegro – Grave – Pesante – Largo – Poco vivo – Allegro
05. II. Lento – Poco più mosso – Poco meno – Lento
06. III. Animato – Moderato – Animato
After documenting the symphonies, cello and viola concertos and string quartets of Turkish composer Ahmed Adnan Saygun, this new disc presents the piano concertos; works which are considered his finest form.
Saygun’s piano compositions are performed more than any of this other works. His two piano concertos featured here, overwhelm the listener with their expansive palette of ideas and wealth of colour.
These extensive concertos are interpreted by Saygun’s pupil Gülsin Onay, regarded by many as an extraordinary pianist who performs with virtuosic brilliance and boundless energy. She herself states, “The Second Concerto, which is dedicated to me, is like a deep and strong elegy. Here Saygun has brought out the rich Anatolian folk motifs with extremely powerful orchestral means.”
“The most fizzing brouhaha came when…pianist Gülsin Onay, a Saygun specialist, rampaged through the concerto’s carnival finale.” The Times on a live performance by Gülsin Onay