Beethoven (1770-1827) - Piano Concertos Nos.2, 4 : Andsnes(P)/ Mahler Chamber Orchestra - Import CD

Credits:

Beethoven (1770-1827)

Description:

This imposing majesty and stature. This is the second recording of the complete Beethoven concertos by Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Ansnes, born in 1970, and the second in his long-awaited three-year contract with Sony Classical. This is the second installment of a three-year project (2012-2014) to perform and record all of Beethoven's piano concertos, with his partner, the spirited Mahler. His partner is the up-and-coming Mahler Chamber Orchestra (MCO), which he both plays the piano and conducts. Beethoven - A Journey" - Ansnes' first Beethoven. This project, titled "Beethoven - A Journey," is Ansnes' first recording of Beethoven's works, which began at Virgin Classics and was taken over by EMIClassics. Ansnes' extensive discography, which began with Virgin Classics and has been passed on to EMIClassics, has never included Beethoven's works.In his mid-40s, Ansnes is in the prime of his career, and this is his first recording of Beethoven's musical saints, his mature pianism and deep insight into music having been highly acclaimed in his first two piano concertos, Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 3, released in 2011. This time, we finally get to hear Beethoven's two most difficult pieces, No. 4, which is often regarded as the most difficult of his five works, and No. 2, which, contrary to its opus number, was written before No. 1. The two pieces are "works of joy, surprise, and pleasure to discover," Ansnes said of the two pieces, "which have always given me pleasure. These two pieces have always given me pleasure, surprise, and the pleasure of discovery. They contain Beethoven's typical dramatic elements, of course, but they still surprise me with their childlike innocence, their beauty, and their innocent joy. I dedicate this recording to my three children," he says, "because I treat these two pieces the same way I treat my three children. As for performing with and conducting the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, he said, "The MCO is a wonderful group of musicians, full of vitality and energy.With the MCO, I play the role of conductor as well as pianist, which allows me to interpret the individual concertos in a consistent manner. With a regular conductor or orchestra, interpretations may differ, and the piano may be positioned far away from the orchestra, but with the MCO I am sitting in the center of the orchestra, in direct contact with the orchestra members and with each other. This is essential to the performance of Beethoven's piano concertos, which require a dialogue (and sometimes conflict) between the piano and the orchestra, so that I am always at the center of the music and simultaneously experience the ups and downs of the musical drama," he said. This is essential to the deepening of the music. Sony Music

Tracklisting:

1.Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19: Allegro con brio
2.Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19: Adagio
3.Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19: Rondo. Molto allegro
4.Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 4 in G major, Op. 58: Allegro moderato
5.Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 4 in G major, Op. 58: Andante con moto - attacca
6.Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 4 in G major, Op. 58: Rondo. Vivace