Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Not the usual coupling of the two Shostakovich concertos, but don't let that put you off. This combination of the early, relatively neglected Britten Piano Concerto (in its revised version) with the popular Shostakovich shows just how bewitched Britten was by the older man. And Andsnes' approach in both works (recorded live, though thankfully largely free from audience participation) emphasises not so much the obvious drama as the sheer seductiveness of the pieces. This is most effective in the Britten where the soloist's playing is consistently smooth and sophisticated as he shrugs off with aplomb the difficulties, and occasional sheer bloody-mindedness, of the solo part. In the Shostakovich more sheer vulgarity might not have gone amiss, though the last movement sparkles, with Hardenberger easily matching the pianist in skin-scorching virtuosity. The filler (the only studio recording here) is also unusual, bringing pianist and trumpeter together in perfect accord. The sound is good throughout. --Harriet Smith
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A musical banquet,
By
This review is from: Britten:Shostakovich:Enescu:Pn (Audio CD)
If this recording doesn`t place Britten`s undervalued piano concerto closer to the top rank, then I`ll be very surprised. I had underestimated the sheer richness of invention in this four-movement work, with its unforgettably dramatic opening, lovely Andante and choppy, troubled March finale.
In a happily almost cough-free live recording, which gives this disc a thrilling immediacy, the superb Leif Ove Andsnes gives what is surely a benchmark performance of Britten`s relatively early work, bringing out its freshness and its musical palette of colours. The first concerto of Shostakovich, for piano, trumpet and strings, also gets something of a makeover in the hands of Andsnes and Hakan Hardenberger, whose suitably terse trumpet gleams. Both soloists` playing in the last Allegro movement is breathtaking, wonderfully exciting. Paavo Jarvi`s conducting throughout this disc is exemplary. One would have loved to have been there at Birmingham`s Symphony Hall on that evening in 1997 to hear such magic for oneself. The Englishman and the Russian were of course great friends. (For a moving `horse`s mouth` description of their relationship, do seek out Russian soprano Galina Vishnevskaya`s autobiography `Galina`, which has much about her and her husband Rostropovich`s friend Shostakovich in its vivid pages - see my review here if interested.) It is pleasing, as well as touching, to have these two spiritual brothers` works on the same disc. The sound is glowing, with each instrument well to the fore, and the orchestra sounds like it is revelling in this peach of a programme. I am inordinately fond of Rumanian genius Enesco (as he`s spelt here) and his thoughtful Legende for trumpet & piano gives Hardenberger more of a chance to shine, which he does with succinct poise. It`s a stirring way to end both concert and recording. All in all, these 64 minutes are a breath of fresh air. Not only is this music of variety and creative brilliance, it is also tremendous fun! Warmly recommended.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review) 6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Music,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Britten:Shostakovich:Enescu:Pn (Audio CD)
Both the Britten and the Shostakovich piano concerto, are played flawlessly in this recording. The Britten piano concerto, which has been suprisingly neglected lately is perhaps the best part of the whole recording. The concerto, which is in Britten's early Peter Grimes style, is played without a single wrong note, despite the intense virtuosity demanded from the soloist. The Shostakovich is a comic piece, with quotes from Rossini and Beethoven(The Rage over the lost Penny). BUY THIS RECORDING!!
|
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
