Schumann & Grieg: Piano Concertos; Leif Ove Andsnes
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CD Details
Edition: Music CDFormat: Live
CD Release Date: 2003-09-30
Music Label: EMI Classics
Soundtracks:
- I: Allegro Molto Moderato
- II: Adagio
- III: Allegro Moderato E Marcato
- I: Allegro Affettuoso
- II: Intermezzo (Andantino Grazioso)
- III: Allegro Vivace
Music reviews of Schumann & Grieg: Piano Concertos; Leif Ove Andsnes
Music Review: An invaluable collaboration
Rating: 5 Stars
Andsnes is such a pianist who can make a very striking point in his performances without ever doing `too much', a most welcome ability, particularly in pieces that sometimes fall prey to unnecessarily sluggish Romantic interpretations. The Grieg concerto can, in the wrong hands, sound like a shorter version of the saccharine Tchaikovsky B flat minor. No such things in Andsnes' performance, however. He has an impressive and authoritative command of the music and never lacks in lyricism, strength or virtuosity, yet there's nothing at all in his playing that sounds forced, exaggerated or overly aggressive. His wonderful build-up of the climax in the first movement cadenza is simply priceless. And listen to the enthusiasm with which he jumps into the third movement's main theme (also in the recap). It sounds so simple, yet the effect is marvellous. But Andsnes can also play in perfect sympathy with a conductor, as it shows here. This time, I thought the standard picture inside the booklet of pianist-and-conductor-staring-at-score was genuine. Andsnes and Jansons (who conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker) simply collaborate together perfectly. In the final for example, it seems as if both are constantly driving each other further. Jansons' BPhO also has a wonderfully rich and beautiful sound. The flutes and strings in the typically Norse theme that appears after 2'40 in the final, for instance, are marvellous. The other concerto here is the Schumann, a piece that can be treated as merely chamber music (as in the classic Richter recording). But Andsnes and Jansons choose for a more large-scale approach that fits the piece equally well, I think. In fact, it is played so well that you hardly need other performances than this. There's a great feeling for the structure: every phrase in the concerto seems to follow completely logically after the previous one. Even more importantly, the pianist and the orchestra again play as though they're speaking through one mouth. This may be even more important than in the Grieg, because I think it's mainly the *combination* of piano and orchestral sound that can make the Schumann concerto sound so special. One of my favourite moments occurs after 3'30 in the first movement, where the piano starts a rousing melody that ends in an orchestral tutti after 4'00. As played here, it is exactly the way I think it should sound, with all its amazing subtleties and poetry. This is essentially what makes the whole concerto so good: listen closely and you'll hear how precisely Andsnes and Jansons respond to each other. But in the `solo' moments they are equally impressive: listen to Andsnes' thrilling first movement cadenza or the little orchestral fugue three minutes into the final, or the wonderful tutti after 4'30, with great timpani support as well. This all makes a pretty impressive recording and a very strong coupling of the Grieg and Schumann concertos altogether. The sound is very good too, although there's some hiss in the background (may be caused by the fact that it's recorded live). Overall a simply essential disc for those who like piano concertos in general.
Description of Schumann & Grieg: Piano Concertos; Leif Ove Andsnes
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.Many great pianists have already recorded this now-traditional coupling. Having proven himself to belong in the company of the greats, Andsnes now gets his chance. He has a decided viewpoint on this music, stressing the lyrical elements with some gorgeous tone and phrasing, yet capturing plenty of drive and excitement when required. Jansons seems to challenge his soloist with very energetic readings of the orchestral parts: lots of tympani and broad dynamic contrasts. The collaboration works quite well, and if you don't already have half a dozen CDs with this coupling already in your collection, this one is definitely worth considering. It does have a couple of minor handicaps, though. EMI passed up the opportunity to fill the blank 20 minutes of the disc with some solo music by these composers, and the recorded sound, while well balanced, seems somewhat dull and lacking in presence. --Leslie Gerber
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