Martin Roscoe has recorded all of Ernő Dohnányi's piano works. In his latest recording, he focuses particularly on how Dohnányi strategically secured his place in the tradition of virtuoso composers. The album begins with the Six Concert Etudes, Op. 28, which Dohnányi completed in 1916. Each étude explores a different facet of piano technique and draws inspiration from Brahms and Liszt. The Suite in the Old Style, Op. 24, incorporates Baroque dance forms, while Dohnányi's Six Piano Pieces, Op. 41, convey a more personal expression.
The Passacaglia in E-flat minor, Op. 6, composed in 1899, demonstrates Dohnányi's mastery of counterpoint. It contains elements reminiscent of Liszt's dense compositional style and combines technical demands with emotional depth. Finally, Roscoe interprets Dohnányi's arrangement of Brahms's Rondo alla Zingarese from the Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25, which underscores both Dohnányi's understanding of the Hungarian style and his appreciation for great masterpieces.
Through Roscoe's performance, the listener gains an impressive insight into the diverse musical influences and artistic development of this important 20th-century composer.