Dimitar Nenov (1901 – 1953)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1936)
Ballade for Piano Concertante and Orchestra (1943)
Ivo Varbanov, piano
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Emil Tabakov, conductor
A refusal to toe the party line in communist Bulgaria led to polymath Dimitar Nenov being marginalized in life, and to posthumous neglect. But this is hugely enjoyable music, well worthy of revival in such fiercely committed performances as we find here.
‘it’s a strangely compelling journey. Once you get on, it’s hard to get off’ (Gramophone)
‘Colourful and spicy rather than avant-garde … [an] excellent new recording’ (BBC Music Magazine)
∗∗∗∗ PERFORMANCE
∗∗∗∗∗ RECORDING
‘The monumental concerto is a highly-strung, emotional, single-movement journey, combining a late Romantic sensibility with a uniquely daring modernism, while the Ballade moves from pastoral idyll to climactic frenzy, with boisterous Bulgarian dance influences along the way’ (The Observer) ∗∗∗∗
‘Releases such as this demonstrate the continuing validity of the gramophone as an artistic medium: otherwise we could wait for ever before hearing this eminently worthwhile music’ (Classical Source) ∗∗∗∗∗