Hans Werner Henze seems to embrace the dictum that “the only thing constant is change.” His compositions have run the stylistic gamut as the composer has searched for moments of pure beauty. Though both the works contained on this CD were composed in 1967, they could not be more different. The concerto is a 12-tone, serial composition with splashed orchestral colors pitted against seemingly random statements by the soloist. It is intense, almost painful to listen to, yet it grows more familiar and welcoming on repetition. On the other hand, the Telemanniana seems like an old friend from the start, based as it is on the tonal music of Georg Philipp Telemann. Henze’s use of full orchestra makes it seem a bit surreal at various points, but by and large the new orchestral colors serve to enhance, rather than embroider, the originals. Rolf Plagge seems to be a pianist with inexhaustible technique, fully up to the demands of the concerto; and the German orchestra plays with precision and flair for conductor Gerhard Markson. The recorded sound is nearly top-drawer, unusually close-up for recordings these days, yet with plenty of warmth surrounding all the detail, and very exciting overall. In sum, all listeners can enjoy the Telemann parody; the concerto is rougher going, but rewarding if you stick with it.
