Gounod: Works for Pedal Piano and Orchestra

Pedal pianos, on which organists could practise, are among the more sober of the fancied-up pianos invented over the years. These new recordings devolve the pedal work to a second Steinway concert grand in a tiered arrangement that's almost worthy of Heath Robinson. Don't expect the thrills and spills of two-piano writing. The reality is more on the lines of introducing a third hand that adds buttressing in the bass. Gounod's inspiration for the four pieces here (the Suite concertante, Concerto in E flat, Fantaisie sur l'hymnes national russe and Danse roumaine) was the virtuosity of Lucie Palicot. In Roberto Prosseda's well-turned performances, these expertly light works sound highly attractive. url.ie/4qdb