Robert Fuchs - Piano Concerto in B flat minor, Op. 27

The Piano Concerto in B flat minor Op 27 was composed in 1879/80. It was conceived under the critical eye of Brahms who was initially sceptical about the project because he thought that Fuchs did not have the necessary virtuosity to be able to write a rousing piano concerto. Brahms, however, seemed to have forgotten the fact that in 1868 at the Vienna Conservatoire the difficult decision had to be made as to whether Fuchs should be win a prize for his composing abilities or for his piano-playing, since he showed outstanding flair in both. According to his biographer Anton Mayr, Fuchs gave the second movement to Brahms for him to look through. He at first rejected it, but was forced to admit on closer analysis: ‘Now, if the other movements are like this, then you can be content’. And when he looked through the first movement he admitted that everything seemed much better than he had expected at the outset. The piano concerto finally became one of Brahms’s favourite works, the circulation of which was a cause very close to his heart. When, shortly before the premiere on 2 February 1880 in Vienna, the originally intended soloist Alfred Grünfeld fell ill, Brahms personally endeavoured to get an adequate substitute and proposed the highly regarded virtuoso Emil Smietansky. Despite these favourable conditions and despite his undeniable qualities it was not, however, possible for the concerto to hold its own on the podium for long. And that was regrettable, because it is a beautiful, masterly and virtuoso piece.

I. Allegro maestoso ed energico 00:00
II. Andante sostenuto 17:18
III. Allegretto 26:05

Soloist (piano): Martin Roscoe
Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Martyn Brabbins

Painting: The Captain and the Mate
Artist: James Tissot
Date: 1873