Scharwenka: Piano Concerto No. 1; Symphony C minor

When the Polish city of Poznan was still called Posen, a certain Franz Xaver Scharwenka attended the local high school before embarking on a musical career that garnered him significant attention and admiration. Although he primarily made a name for himself as a pianist and composer of countless piano pieces, he was compelled to venture beyond his instrument and did so with remarkable success. In 1877, he presented the first of his four piano concertos to the public in Hanover, a work that continues to delight audiences and has now been added to the cpo catalog. This imaginative piece, performed by the British pianist Jonathan Powell and the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Lukasz Borowicz, serves as a prelude to the only symphony Scharwenka composed - a compelling testament to a man who mastered much more than just the 88 keys.