CD Review
Lamond / d'Albert: Symphony in A major; Concert Overture "From the Scottish Highlands"; d'Albert: Esther Overture
- Composer
- Lamond / d'Albert
- Artist
- BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Martyn Brabbins
- Label
- Hyperion
- Catalogue
- CDA67387
- Reviewed by
- Sandy Matheson
Following on from their valuable collections of music by Scottish Romantic composers (Mackenzie, MacCunn and Cecil Coles), Hyperion has made the first recording of the Symphony in A major by Frederic Lamond. He is remembered now exclusively as a pianist; several of his Beethoven recordings are available on APR, including one of the very first recordings of the Emperor Concerto (conducted by Eugene Goossens).
About Lamond and d’Albert
Frederic Lamond (1868–1948) was a Glasgow-born pianist who studied in Frankfurt and, decisively, with Liszt himself in his final years, becoming one of the last surviving direct links to that tradition, a reputation that came to overshadow his own compositions almost entirely during his lifetime. Eugen d’Albert, the composer paired with him on this disc, followed a strikingly similar path: Scottish-born, Liszt-trained, and remembered today chiefly as a pianist and opera composer (Tiefland remains his best-known stage work) rather than for his purely orchestral output. Pairing the two on one disc makes a natural case study in a shared, largely forgotten strand of late-Romantic Scottish musical life.
The spirit of Brahms looms large in his symphony - not surprisingly, as Lamond not only knew the great man, but had performed the Brahms piano concertos under the baton of the composer. Its language and manners are thoroughly German, with not a trace of a Scottish accent. That said, in its Allegro vivace, quasi presto second movement, he reveals a kinship with the Swedish composer Franz Berwald; at any rate, the music has a comparable radiance and charm.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, carefully prepared by Martyn Brabbins, gives a polished account of an attractive score that has not been heard for a century or more. Two excerpts from Lamond’s opera Eine Liebe im Schottischen Hochlande as well as an overture by Eugen d’Albert (another Glasgow-born pianist-composer) complete a worthwhile addition to the catalogue. Anyone who enjoys exploring the byways of late-nineteenth century music shouldn’t hesitate.
A note on this page
Originally published by Sandy Matheson, recovered from mmmusic's own archive and reproduced here as the critic wrote it.
Questions about this recording
Who was Frederic Lamond?
A Glasgow-born pianist remembered almost exclusively today for his Beethoven recordings, including one of the earliest recordings of the Emperor Concerto. He also composed, and knew Brahms personally, having performed the Brahms piano concertos under the composer's own baton.
What does this recording include?
The first recording of Lamond's Symphony in A major, plus two overture excerpts from his opera Eine Liebe im Schottischen Hochlande, and an overture by fellow Glasgow-born pianist-composer Eugen d'Albert.
Does the symphony sound Scottish?
No, despite Lamond's Glasgow origins, the review describes the symphony's language as thoroughly German, shaped by Brahms's influence, with a kinship to the Swedish composer Franz Berwald audible in its second movement.
Is this recording still available to buy?
Yes, Hyperion's catalogue number CDA67387 remains findable through classical retailers. We don't run an in-house shop, so we link out to Amazon and Discogs below.
