\nRecording of the Week (May 2016).
\nBest Recordings of 2016.<\/strong>\u00a0The Sunday Times<\/a><\/p>\n
\u201cThese well-sprung performances benefit from the sharply focused acoustic of the Wyastone Concert Hall\u2026 with a forthright and eloquent soloist in Mikhail Korzhev, there\u2019s no mistaking the edgy fervour of Krenek at his best.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>Gramophone<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cOn the evidence of the first three, magisterially delivered by Korzhev, they should rank at least with Prokofiev and Hindemith. The accompanying English Symphony Orchestra are somewhat out of theirusual area, but seem to relish their role under the firm direction of Kenneth Woods, doing for Krenek here what he did previously for G\u00e1l\u2014five stars\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0International Piano<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe orchestra is impeccably drilled throughout: it sounds like they play these works as regularly as they would the accompaniments to a Beethoven Concerto. Unhesitatingly, and most enthusiastically, recommended.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Fanfare (Colin Clarke)<\/p>\n \u201cDisque Du Jour\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>Radio Classique, France<\/a>, 26 May, 2016<\/p>\n Five Stars. “Mikhail Korzhev proves a superbly stylish, fearless and eloquent exponent, and he enjoys admirable support from a hugely spirited English Symphony Orchestra under Kenneth Woods’s unfailingly cogent lead…Do lend an ear to this brave and rewarding issue.”<\/strong> Andrew Achenbac, Classical Ear<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBoth are superb appetisers for Krenek\u2019s startlingly brilliant Third Concerto, its 13 minutes smarter than many 50-minute symphonies. Five short movements have the soloist sparring with different orchestral sections, before a rousing atonal fugue closes proceedings \u2013 like a grumpier, dodecaphonic version of Britten\u2019s Young Person\u2019s Guide. At one point the soloist duets with the orchestral harpist by reaching inside the lid and strumming the piano strings. Mikhail Korzhev is a heroic soloist, gamely accompanied by Kenneth Woods\u2019 English Symphony Orchestra. Brass and percussion are particularly impressive. And what good sleeve notes: three essays, by music historian, conductor and pianist respectively. Each one a joy to read and full of insight, outlining with erudition and passionate enthusiasm exactly why these pieces demand to be heard. More please.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>The Arts Desk<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cKorzhev is just as clear and communicative in this concerto as he is in the easeful Op. 18 \u2013 listen to how well he articulates the central\u00a0Quasi cadenza\u00a0\u2013 and the ESO play with thrilling focus and trenchancy throughout.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0MusicWeb International<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cKorzhev, who previously has recorded selections from the composer\u2019s solo piano music, proves to be a dedicated and capable guide in this rare repertoire. Conductor Woods (to whom we are indebted for recordings of the symphonies of Hans G\u00e1l) is equally proficient, and the English Symphony Orchestra gives no indication that this is not music they have lived with for years.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Fanfare (Philip Scott)<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhat is probably most important, however, is that all three of the concertos on this album are easily accommodating to the inquisitive and attentive listener. Toccata Classics seems to make the case that listening to Krenek should be a journey of discovery; and, from that point of view, both Korzhev and Woods are excellent \u201cguides\u201d for those who commit to making that journey\u201d<\/strong>The Examiner<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI cannot imagine finer performances of Ernst Krenek\u2019s piano concertos than these from Mikhail Korzhev with the English Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kenneth Woods\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0The Classical Reviewer<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe playing can never be faulted for accuracy or balance. Ken Woods leads vibrant readings\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>Classical CD Reviews<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure how one should perform the music, my never having heard it before, but I can\u2019t imagine anyone doing it any better than this. Korzhev\u2019s piano playing is scintillating, Woods\u2019s direction is warmly encouraging, and the orchestra is uniformly precise, together giving the score all the interpretive support it could ask for. It\u2019s hard to imagine any other pianist, conductor, or orchestra doing anything more for Krenek\u2019s work.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>Classical Candor<\/a><\/p>\n “No. 1 of 1923 (premiered by Eduard Erdmann and Scherchen) is tonal but pushing tonal boundaries in creating a richly varied soundscape which should appeal to those interested in the Berlin avant-garde of the Weimar period; No. 2 (1937 with Krenek at the piano and Bruno Walter on the podium) is twelve-tone, but Krenek created his series from a tonal theme which he had started with before deciding to go dodecaphonic; its general character is nocturnal and decadent. No. 3 is back to tonality (1946 with Krenek again and the Minneapolis Symphony under Mitropoulos) is a kind of blend with the \u201cConcerto for Orchestra\u201d genre as the pianist partners with single sections of the orchestra in its five attacca sections, brash, spiky and brimming with color and wit.” <\/strong>Records International<\/a><\/p>\n Mikhail Korzhev Catalogue No: TOCC0323
\nEnglish Symphony Orchestra
\nKenneth Woods<\/p>\n![\"Krenek-Cover\"](\"http:\/\/kennethwoods.net\/blog1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Krenek-Cover-300x300.jpg\")
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\nEAN\/UPC: 5060113443236
\nRelease Date: 01.03.2016
\nComposer: Ernst Krenek<\/a>
\nArtists: English Symphony Orchestra<\/a>, Kenneth Woods<\/a>, Mikhail Korzhev<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Krenek-inlay-768x613\"](\"http:\/\/kennethwoods.net\/blog1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Krenek-inlay-768x613-300x239.jpg\")
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