Joseph Holbrooke’s Piano Concerto No. 1, subtitled “The Song of Gwyn ap Nudd”, is trash. Its fundamental problem is existential: there’s no reason why this should be a piano concerto at all. Nothing about the (included) interminable and equally trashy poem that suggested the music (I hesitate to use the word “inspired”) demands the participation of a soloist, and accordingly there’s no musical reason why the piano plays, stops, intervenes, or otherwise makes its presence felt in cooperation with or in opposition to the orchestra. Add to that: banal melodic invention, conventional orchestration of a late Romantic stamp, excessive length, and a musical structure that for all intents and purposes simply does not exist, and the result is a complete failure from any point of view.
Haydn Wood’s concerto, by contrast, comes as a refreshing surprise. An accomplished composer of “light” music, Wood at least understood the need to keep his music moving. He also was able to invent effective tunes and clothe them in attractive instrumental colors, and if his concerto amounts to little more than new wine poured into an old bottle, there’s no denying the music’s considerable charm and energy. Hamish Milne plays both works with enthusiasm, and they are brightly accompanied by Martyn Brabbins, who really does the best he can with the Holbrooke. Worth it for the Wood.
