Levanon / Martin / Poulenc - Works for Pianos & Orchestra [CD]

Concertante orchestral works for more than one keyboard instrument saw a revival after the First World War with the neo-Baroque trends of the time helping to revitalize the neglected concerto grosso genre. Recorded here in a new version with three pianos, Martin's Petite symphonie concertante reflects the dark tensions of the Second World War, while Poulenc's delightful Concerto for Two Pianos is infused with the spirit of Mozart in it's rich and eclectic stylistic tapestry. Shostakovich's Concertino, in a new orchestral version, shifts between superficial Soviet entertainment and heartfelt expressiveness, and the songs quoted in Aryeh Levanon's Land of Four Languages symbolize a hope for peace and harmony in Israel.