The Naxos ‘Romantic Piano’ edition was launched in September 2025 to promote little-known composers and unusual repertoire in programmes featuring world premiere recordings. Józef Wieniawski (1837-1912) was a prolific Polish composer and virtuoso pianist renowned throughout Europe, but he became eclipsed by his elder brother Henryk, a virtuoso violinist/composer. Józef’s music fell into relative obscurity during the 20th century but performers have recently begun to revitalise his legacy. This album presents several works that have never been commercially recorded before alongside others with only a handful of recent recordings. Those who appreciate the music of Chopin and Liszt will find much to enjoy here, with Romantic-era virtuoso techniques on abundant display and a composer with an original voice, one that is remarkable for its refreshing takes on familiar forms and genres.

9.70388 *

Józef WIENIAWSKI (1919–1996)
Polonaise No. 1 in C major

* Only available for download and streaming

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Our edition of Leó Weiner's complete works for orchestra now reaches Vol. 4 (of 6). Weiner was a leading Hungarian pedagogue as well as a distinguished composer, teaching at the Liszt Academy in Budapest from 1907 until his death in 1960; the majority of Hungary’s world-famous musicians from this period were his pupils. Well known for her extensive work at the Hungarian State Opera, conductor Valéria Csányi has spearheaded this recording project with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra from the start, prompting much critical appreciation: ‘Orchestra and conductor ... bring every section to life with energy and sensitivity. The sound is up there with Naxos’ best, and it is a recording of musicological significance.’ (Fanfare on Vol. 2, 8.573847); ‘flawless playing ... elegant phrases, buoyant rhythms and excitement … superb musicality.’ (American Record Guide on Vol. 3, 8.574125) We confidently anticipate a similar response for this latest programme.

It’s only recently that Bronsart von Schellendorf’s career as a composer has become more widely acknowledged. Liszt, however, was well aware of Bronsart’s prowess, referring to his orchestral work Frühlings-Fantasie as ‘beautiful and invaluable’ and later declaring ‘I value him as a character and a musician.’ Even a cursory listen to the Piano Concerto reveals a composer working in ambitious dimensions and with an extrovert musical language. Rich in melodic and emotional content, Bronsart’s piano writing gives ample opportunity for virtuoso display while delivering his musical arguments with power and precision. Bronsart’s good friend Hans von Bülow, another pupil of Liszt, had toured the work from 1870 onwards. He took the concerto abroad, performing it at a concert in Manchester in 1877 under the baton of Charles Hallé, by which time the work had secured a foothold in the repertory, albeit a temporary one.

Ondine’s award-winning recordings by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under their chief conductor Nicholas Collon continue with an album of two works by Richard Strauss. The first is Strauss’ longest and final major orchestral work, An Alpine Symphony that requires at least 125 players, the largest ensemble in Strauss’ entire output. Unusual instruments include heckelphone, Wagner tubas, organ, cow-bells, wind machine, thunder machine and a battalion of off-stage horns, trumpets and trombones. This is paired with the Four Songs, Op. 27, which was the composer’s intimate wedding gift to his singer wife. The soprano soloist here is Louise Alder, ‘a terrific talent, combining a big, lustrous voice with flawless intonation and keen intelligence.’ (The Times)