Buried Treasure

Pianist Javier Perianes introduces us to three rarities from his own record collection

De Falla Harpsichord Concerto Manuel de Falla (harpsichord), et al EMI B-40067-1979

This is probably the last big piece that Falla composed completely – there is a famous opera, Atlántida, that he never finished. Stravinsky said this concerto is emblematic of neo-classicism and I would agree. At the beginning, you think ‘why is he putting harpsichord, flute, oboe, violin and cello together?’ It’s quite him, though, and it took a lot of time to prepare. Falla originally wrote the piece for Wanda Landowska, the wonderful harpsichordist who premiered it.

Szymanowski Symphony No. 4 (Sinfonia Concertante) Arthur Rubinstein (piano); Los Angeles Phil/alfred Wallenstein Sony 60046-2-RG

Rubinstein was Polish and there are traces of that heritage here, which Szymanowski got from Chopin’s style – he was a huge fan of Chopin. I would say there are just traces of Polish folklore in this piece; the melodies and rhythms, of course, and in the third movement there is quite a clear nod to the ‘Oberek’, a Polish dance. But the piece is more about the refinement of elements from Polish folklore towards a very original and special language.

Medtner Piano Sonata in G minor Emil Gilels (piano) Brilliant Classics 92615

I have been a huge fan of Gilels my whole life; with him you find the lyricism, the power and everything that you could ask from a high-level artist. This Sonata is something rare, but at the same time it’s a piece that was once on the repertoire of the great Russian pianists. It’s in one movement, there are no interruptions, and you can find in it all the drama, all the lyricism, beautifully treated in a very coherent way. Everything is built to reach an amazing and massive coda and when you reach it – everything makes sense.

Javier Perianes performs Beethoven’s piano concertos with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Juanjo Mena at the Royal Festival Hall, 22-23 February