Gramophone Magazine
March 2022
Editor's Choice

Sofja Gulbadamova (piano), Silke Aichhorn (harp), Andrei Ioniţă (cello), Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rehinland-Pfalz, Modestas Pitrenas

Dohnányi: Variations on a Nursery Tune, Op. 25
Dohnányi: Concertino for Harp & Orchestra, Op. 45
Dohnányi: Konzertstück in D Major for Cello & Orchestra, Op. 12

Of all the works Ernst von Dohnányi wrote for the stage, only his ballet pantomime The Veil of Pierrette (Capriccio C5388) received any particular acclaim. His concert music, however, was received much more warmly. This sixth Capriccio volume of Dohnányi's late romantic, sensual music that is deeply rooted in the Austro-German classical tradition features three of his concertos. Apart from two piano concertos and two violin concertos, Dohnányi wrote three more, which are concertos in all but name: Variations on a Nursery Song (for piano and orchestra), Concertino (for harp and chamber orchestra), and Konzertstück (for cello and orchestra), the titles subtly hinting at their specific character.

"A truly superb performance of this unjustly neglected and once-popular work [Variations On A Nursery Song]...All in all, Modestas Pitrėnas inspires orchestra and soloists alike on a disc that stands with the best." - Gramophone Magazine, March 2022.