Matti Friedann

It’s simply astonishing that Einar Englund’s Piano Concertos have not become firm staples of the repertoire. Each possesses the crowd-pleasing elements of concertos by Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Bartók, and Ravel, but are wholly original rhythmic and harmonic tours de force with nary a note wasted in the process. For some time, collectors have been content to rely on Naxos’ estimable recording of the First Piano Concerto, but this new version from Ondine blows it away and quickly establishes itself as the reference against which all others (if there are any) will be judged. Matti Raekallio’s incredibly sure-footed playing blends seamlessly with the Tampere Philharmonic’s enthusiastic and feisty accompaniment, and the recorded sound comes through with a beguilingly natural presence, especially in the renderings of the piano’s timbre and the silky sheen of the violins.

Finnish composer, pianist, composition teacher and music critic Einar Englund was born in Ljugam on June 17th, 1916, and studied with Bengt Carlson at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. On a recommendation from Sibelius, possibly on the basis of his piano quintet, he continued his studies with Aaron Copland at Tanglewood. He fought in World War II, an experience which inspired at least some of his earlier works. Gaining tumultous acclaim for his first two symphonies, Englund rose to prominence in the period immediately following World War II, where his music's resemblance to the works of Shostokovich and Prokofiev attracted the attention of music lovers and critics alike. A composer who didn't belong to any modern school or trend, he over the years continued to enrich and refine his distinctive personal style. Englund died in Ljugam on June 27th, 1999.