Well, here it is, recorded July last year, the three-movement (slow-fast-slow) Piano Concerto by Jaap Nico Hamburger, born in Amsterdam and now living in Canada – I got that bit off the net, for apart from presenting this twenty-two-minute work by itself, Leaf Music offers no booklet, the CD’s packaging doesn’t allow for one, but does credit the personnel of Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal as well as sundry others, including a proofreader!
As for the music, with soloist Assaff Weisman and conductor Vincent de Kort, it’s accessible and starts promisingly, quite atmospheric, but is soon going nowhere. The second movement is rhythmic and determined (sub-sub-Prokofiev) and introduces sirens and trombone glissandos (which are no more than a distraction) before heading for the doldrums, whereas the relatively lengthy Finale is static and uninteresting.
Good performance though and well-recorded. Best to sample first to find out if the music appeals before deciding if twenty-two minutes and thirteen quid (Amazon’s asking price, for example) are compatible. Leaf Music LM238.