Mackenzie & Tovey: Piano Concertos (Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto 19)

Featuring

Steven Osborne
Martyn Brabbins
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Donald Francis Tovey
Alexander Campbell Mackenzie

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Both Tovey's and Mackenzie's concertos emphasize cooperation between soloist and orchestra, rather than the traditional romantic conflict.

Performer Biography

Steven Osborne, the pianist on this recording, won first prize in the prestigious Clara Haskil Competition in 1991 and the Naumburg International Competition in New York in 1997.

Composer Biography

Sir Alexander Campbell Mackenzie, a Scottish composer, served as Principal of the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1888 to 1924.

Composer Biography

Sir Donald Francis Tovey, though born in England, became Scottish by adoption, holding Edinburgh's Reid Chair of Music for 26 years.

Historical Context

Mackenzie's Scottish Concerto nearly became a casualty of World War I, as German forces were melting down music plates for bullets.

Composer Biography

Mackenzie, a skilled pianist, once passed off an improvisation as an unknown Schubert Impromptu during his final exam at the Royal Academy of Music.

Historical Context

Both composers' concertos were published in Germany because British publishing houses were reluctant to support British works, especially piano concertos.