DMITRI KABALEVSKY (1904-1987): Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra - Concertos No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 9, No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 23 (original 1935 version), No. 3 in D, Op. 50 and No. 4 in C, Op. 99, Fantasy after Schubert D940 in F Minor (World Premiere Recording), Rhapsody on the Theme of the Song "School Years" for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 75.

Description: Although Naxos has covered the concertos (as have a few other labels in the LP and earlier CD era), no one has yet bothered with the remarkable Fantasy, a work originally for piano four-hands and then orchestrated in 1961 for Emil Gilels (who premiered it in Moscow with Kondrashin and even took it to Italy). Kabalevsky turns Schubert's angsty, pessimistic piece into a robust and optimistic work in line either with his own personality or with ideological requirements (who knows which?). There are several intriguing bits of orchestration pointed out in the notes which add to your enjoyment of the piece which Kabalevsky, however, allows to end in Schubert's authentic gloom. 2 CDs. Michael Korstick (piano), North German Radio Philharmonic; Alun Francis.