A Splendid Rendition of Grieg's and Schumann's Piano Concerti

Edvard Grieg: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor, Op. 16
Robert Schumann: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor, Op. 56

Leif Ove Andsnes (piano forte)
Berliner Philharmoniker/ Mariss Jansons

EMI CD 557562-2 (59 minutes : DDD)

You might call these two brilliant piano concerti the heavenly twins (or the Siamese twins if you prefer) among all piano concerti: not surprisingly, they have been coupled together on disc many times over. It says much for this latest version that it immediately establishes itself a formidable rival of the two versions listed here: Murray Perahia on Sony Classical and Stephen Kovacevich on Philips Classics, combining  as they do spontaneity and concentration, dedication and poetry.

The Norwegian pianist, Leif Ove Andsnes is a once-wunderkind of the piano who has matured into of the finest pianists of today. He has recorded Grieg's Piano Concerto more than once. Back in 2000, together with Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dmitri Kitayenko, Andsnes performed this concerto but lacked the conviction of his current interpretation. But this time  (in 2003), here with Berliner Philharmoniker the gains are even far greater. The Norwegian piano virtuoso retains a freshness and expressiveness that never sounds so contrived, always spontaneous and impromptu. That inspirational quality is more markedly perceptible with the new version's faster tempi, but the expressive flights remain as broad as always. The Berliner Philharmoniker under the baton of the prominent Latvian conductor, Mariss Jansons, provides Andsnes a firm and solid support, with playing not just refined but dramatic too in fiercely exciting tuttis. As for Schumann's Piano Concerto, the Berliner Philharmoniker cellists, a famous group in their own right, sound at their very best in the Schumann's slow movement. Schumann's cello melodies are gloriously warm and luscious, with textures in both works admirably clear, and Andsnes fully responds to Schumann's expressivo and ritardando requests. I simply adore it because I particularly like the free-flowing tempo for the central Andantino grazioso of the Schumann. Unlike the Italian pianist, Maurizio Pollini and the Polish pianist, Krystian Zimerman, both of them treat this movement as a simple Andante.

Anyway to any classical music lovers and connoisseur, the collaboration between Andsnes and Jansons (and also Berliner Philharmoniker) works quite well, and if you don't already have half a dozen of CDs with this coupling already in your collection, this one is definitely worth considering. Highly recommended by yours very truly.

Comments

[Jarrod]

wooo.......sounds enticing...

here's another sliver of music subsumed under the misleading nom de plume of 'classic'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM78PuIQHus

check it out.....u'll like it haha