Album insights
In this second installment of Martin Roscoe's complete recording of Ernö Dohnányi's solo piano works, focusing on the period from 1897 to 1907, we delve into Dohnányi's early pieces influenced by Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, and notably his mentor, Johannes Brahms. These works reveal a rich and distinctive compositional voice.
Dohnányi composed his Four Piano Pieces, op. 2, in 1896 and 1897 during his studies at the Royal Hungarian Academy of Music in Budapest. The first piece, a Scherzo, showcases playful rhythms and witty key changes. The subsequent Intermezzos demonstrate Dohnányi's skill in swiftly transitioning between keys while infusing emotional depth into their structures.
His Capriccio in B minor, the final piece of the set, further showcases Dohnányi's innovative approach to musical forms by expanding its structure and integrating contrasting sections. Following these early works, Dohnányi garnered critical acclaim with his Variations and Fugue on a Theme by E.G., op. 4, hailed by the Viennese press as a significant addition to musical literature since Brahms.
Emma Gruber, the dedicatee of this piece, played a pivotal role in Dohnányi's life, supporting and inspiring his artistic journey. Dohnányi's deep connection to the theme-and-variations form is evident in subsequent compositions like his Hungarian Folksong Variations, op. 29, and the Symphonic Minutes for Orchestra, op. 36.
Throughout his career, Dohnányi's affinity for thematic development was central to his creative output, seen in works like the Suite in Olden Style, op. 24. He skillfully crafted compositions that showcased his virtuosic piano technique and compositional prowess, solidifying his legacy as one of the preeminent pianists and composers of his time.