Nenov
Piano Concerto, Ballade No 2
Ivo Varbanov p, Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Emil Tabakov
Hyperion CDA68205

Ivo Varbanov has made it a personal mission to bring fellow Bulgarian and polymath Dimitar Nenov’s (1901-1953) music to the modern audience. This is the first commercial recording of this previously unpublished Piano Concerto No 2, paired with the 1942 Ballade. In the mid-20th century, many scores and recordings of Nenov’s were destroyed, effectively silencing this truly unique voice from the canon.

In one continuous movement, this piece is quite unlike anything else, and I’m truly glad that it’s found a champion in Varbanov. It’s not melodious music, but the...