Artur Pizarro - Oswald & Napoleão: Piano Concertos (LP)

Artur Pizarro, the acclaimed Portuguese virtuoso, returns with a captivating addition to the Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto series. "Oswald & Napoleão: Piano Concertos" showcases the brilliance of two pianist-composers, Henrique Oswald and José Napoleão da Costa Júnior, through their piano concertos. The album features the Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 10 by Oswald, and the Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 31 by Napoleão, both performed with exquisite skill by Pizarro, accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under the direction of Martyn Brabbins.

The album opens with Oswald's intense and brooding Piano Concerto in G Minor, which gradually unfolds into a deeply expressive Adagio. The third movement, marked Allegro, brings a lively and dynamic close to the concerto. The second half of the album is dedicated to Napoleão's Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-Flat Minor, beginning with the Andantino maestoso and continuing through the Scherzo and the final Allegro – Più vivo.

Recorded in 2014 and released under the Hyperion label, this album spans a total of 67 minutes, offering a rich and immersive listening experience. Pizarro's masterful interpretation of these works highlights the technical prowess and emotional depth of both composers, making this a standout release in the Romantic Piano Concerto series. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises a memorable journey through the romantic piano concerto repertoire.