Robert D. Levin, Laurence Cummings, Academy Of Ancient Music - Piano Concerto, 7, 10, Etc: R.levin Ya-fei Chuang(Fp)Cicic(Vn)L.cummings / Amm - Import CD

Credits:

Robert D. Levin, Laurence Cummings, Academy Of Ancient Music

Description:

After a long hiatus, Levin & AAM suddenly resumed recording the complete Mozart: Piano Concertos in the spring of 2023 under a different label. The third collection features concertos for multiple instruments, including two concertos for two pianos and a concerto movement completed by Levin (K.242 is a concerto for three pianos, which Mozart arranged for two pianos). In the concerto for two pianos, Robert Levin and his wife, Ya-Fei Chuan, give a dynamic and well-matched performance. Chuan is highly regarded by Brendel, and his duo with Levin performs classical and contemporary repertoire on period and modern instruments, including recordings of Grieg, Dutilleux, and Reger's arrangements of Wagner's works. Here we are treated to a sonic conversation in the style of Mozart-Levin. The concerto movement for piano, violin, and orchestra is said to have been conceived as the first movement of a concerto during a stay in Mannheim in 1778. Alfred Einstein, a great Mozart scholar, once said, "The fact that this was never completed is the greatest loss to Mozart's art.Although the first tutti in the style of a fanfare is fully orchestrated, the solo instruments ("harpsichord and violin" in Mozart's autograph score, which was also the name for all keyboard instruments at that time) after the appearance of the harpsichord are only the first violin and the bass part. The harpsichord was also the name for all keyboard instruments at the time), the orchestra is written only for the first violin and the bass part. Here, too, Levin has created a bright and lively movement in the Mozart manner. The recordings in this series are also attractive. Neil Hutchinson (four-time Grammy Award winner), heir to the Decca sound, and Adrian Peacock, singer and music director of Pro Canzione Antica, combine to create a highly transparent texture with 4/3/2/2/1 strings and wind ensemble, and a subtlety and dynamism that only this orchestration can produce. The orchestra's subtlety and dynamism are captured beautifully. The 64-page booklet (in English only) includes a detailed description of the instruments used, interviews with AAM orchestra members, recollections of the recording producer, and more, in addition to the program descriptions and performers' profiles.The jacket, common to this series, features a painting by Paul Klee, a favorite of AAM's founder, Hogwood. The Japanese edition comes with a Japanese commentary by Satoshi Otsu. Naxos Japan