Customer Reviews for Piano Concertos 3 & 4
Piano Concertos 3 & 4
Model: 15279712
SKU: 18835123
UPC:
Piano Concertos 3 & 4
Average Customer Rating:
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Customer Reviews for Piano Concertos 3 & 4
Review 1 for Piano Concertos 3 & 4
It's nothing short of miraculous
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: BerlinPhilfan
from Leola, PA
on 09/08/2011
Value for Price
5.0
Music
5.0
Cover Art/Extras
5.0
After hearing Andsnes' fabulous recording of the first two Rachmaninov concertos (Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2), I knew this recording was sure to be outstanding. And it was. Andsnes, probably more than any other pianist, has given Rachmaninov an approach that is entirely devoid of sentimentality. But he hasn't left us with dry, tasteless music. There is a tremendous amount of emotion that will put you on the edge of your seat. We hear power and passion one moment, and melancholy and retrospection the next. While some pianists will bring out more outward show, no one can match Andsnes in making music that is deeply inward in nature. The music spills from the keys in a very subtle, but natural way. Andsnes brings out incredible detail that is fascinating. The only setback is the recording quality. It picks up excessive breathing, presumably from Pappano. And while Andsnes' tone is captured wonderfully, the LSO's tone comes across as lacking some depth. Still, the music more than makes up for these shortcomings and the recording sound is never too distracting.
When I heard that Andsnes had a new recording of the Rachmaninov 3rd coming out, I couldn't wait. I had greatly enjoyed his recording of this piece from when he was still in his twenties. It's probably no exaggeration to say that I have listened to his earlier recording hundreds of times - I love it. But his new recording, well, it's almost unbearably good. His old recording pales in comparison. All the youthfulness is still there, but there's a new sense of maturity. Andsnes' technique is even stronger than before, but he also has a whole lot more to say. In the first movement's opening poetic theme, Andsnes gives us tremendous grace and lyricism; the lovely theme speaks for itself. The LSO's accompaniment is gorgeous; Pappano takes full advantage of their deep, rich tone. And then when the simple theme gives way to running figures, Andsnes plays with an ease that only a great master can afford. I listened to this rendition for the first time outside while taking in the beauty of the fall colors around me. The music couldn't have fit in better. While Andsnes' playing gives us powerful climaxes, one never loses the ever-present autumnal feel. The cadenza (Andsnes sticks with the more powerful, dramatic version) shows Andsnes at his technical height - it's flawless. But the music never sounds harsh. It's powerful, yes, but not harsh or severe. In the second movement, Pappano leads the LSO in a resigned interpretation of the strongly melancholy opening theme. When Andsnes enters, it is with gripping emotion. Pappano and the LSO interact with Andsnes to create an atmosphere that borders on being tense, but without lapsing into sentimentality. After a particularly good closing in the second movement, we are launched into the Finale. Yes, launched. One could not possibly wish for a more controlled, yet thrilling account of this roof-raising movement. In the more dreamy middle section in E flat, Andsnes and Pappano pull out wonderful grace and beauty. The lyricism we hear is ravishing. And when we come back to the passion and drama, Andsnes and the LSO reach their zenith. The passage leading up to the closing major section will have most listeners holding on to the edge of their seats. This masterpiece, possibly Rachmaninov's greatest, comes to a brilliantly triumphant conclusion.
No one needs to be told that the 4th Concerto hasn't achieved the fame the other 3 concertos have. But with the marvelous performance of it that we hear on this CD, one is left wondering why we don't hear it more often. Andsnes' laid-back approach comes in especially handy here - it's all too easy to make this concerto seem unrestrained or even vulgar. Pappano and the LSO likewise keep up the good work they began in the 3rd. The soloist and orchestra interact in an intimate way throughout. This concerto often takes advantage of the great effect of having an orchestral soloist to partner with the pianist. These passages are particularly touching. The music often becomes so beautiful that it is easy to forget that this is not one of the more popular concertos.
In closing, this album is sure to please. Pappano and the LSO are as brilliant as ever. And Andsnes' playing puts him near the top of the list of great pianists. I consider it no exaggeration to say that if his talent continues to grow at the rate it has been, he'll be nearly unanimously recognized as the greatest pianist alive in the next twenty years. So unless you want to miss out on the treasure of a lifetime, you'll be buying this album. Bravo, Andsnes!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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