This disc brings together works of William Alwyn previously issued as couplings for Chandos’ complete symphony cycle, making it convenient for the collector who is primarily interested in the piano concertos. And what concertos they are! No. 1’s bright neo-classical opening is immediately fetching, as is the sparkling and inventive piano writing. But the music soon rounds a corner, and a more serious and weighty mood takes over as the work ends in calm resignation. The dramatic opening of the Second Concerto offers a powerful contrast. This is all-out romantic music expressing powerful emotions, made even more vivid by Alwyn’s picturesque scoring that no doubt was developed through his work as a film composer. Overture to a Masque continues in this vein, while the Elizabethan Dances make for a wonderfully charming and occasionally touching pastiche. Howard Shelley delivers his usual big-boned performances in the concertos, and is joined by Richard Hickox and the London Symphony in faithful renderings of the orchestral accompaniments (the same goes for the purely orchestral works). Chandos’ standard large-hall sound offers pleasing clarity and depth. If you like Alwyn, or are interested in good modern piano concertos, you’ll love this disc.
