Haydn: Piano Concertos | Franz Joseph Haydn, Leif Ove Andsnes, ...

Haydn: Piano Concertos | Franz Joseph Haydn, Leif Ove Andsnes, ... | Outstanding Disc

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Haydn: Piano Conce...

	Haydn: Piano Concertos Franz Joseph Haydn, Leif Ove Andsnes, ... EMI Classics, 2000 average customer review:based on 4 reviews view larger image
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Haydn's concertos aren't heard that often, but on the evidence of this disc, they ought to be. Most of his 14 concertos for harpsichord or fortepiano are probably spurious, but the three played by Andsnes and his fine band have the scholarly seal of authenticity. That seal refers to their provenance, not the modern piano Andsnes plays with high spirits and wit. The best known is the D Major, identified as No. 11. It's captivating here, as Andsnes revels in the vivacity of the outer movements and sings the adagio with welcome warmth. The other two works, while lesser, are highly enjoyable. Good sound adds to the disc's pleasures. --Dan Davis

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Splendid Performances Of The Three Haydn Piano Concerti

Is Leif Ove Andsnes the greatest pianist of our time? I strongly doubt it. Yet every recording I've heard from him is replete with his brilliant technique and lyrical phrasing on the keyboard. This is yet another excellent example, which proves that he feels as comfortable playing Haydn as he does with Grieg's or Chopin's Romantic piano scores. Yet his playing isn't at all Romantic here, but more of a subtle, almost delicate, nature, which is fiery only when called for by the score. The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra offers ample support, never overshadowing Andsnes' playing. The sound quality is exceptional.

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Outstanding Disc

When asked whom he considered the greatest of all composers the conductor Ferdinand Leitner, who mastered the entire symphonic and concerto repertoire, always immediately answered Haydn with a bemused look at the stupidity of this question. While Hatdn may be in the shadow of his successors Mozart and Beethoven, both of which did not have the day job of running a substantial estate, just a look at the high quality of all his Symphonies, Piano Sonatas and String Quartets gives credence to Leitner's statement.

While many have recorded some of Haydn's Piano Concertos (Richter, Michelangeli and Frager come to mind) the current catalog is greatly at odds with their quality. Yet, I think that Adness provides us here with a great Haydn for the next generation.

In contrast to the previous reviewer, I greatly liked the pianist's approach. It is, in fact, highly effective in unearthing the true Haydn from under the oxidized varnish of the romantic era. I don't know whether it is the fact that a lot of Haydn's piano works can be played by relative beginners, but even the likes of Alfred Brendel have always approached in a matter that is rather tame (read lame). While authentic fortepiano players may have had better ideas, their often limited technique and inferior instruments have mostly limited my enjoyment of their discs. Yet, Adness to the rescue.

The Norwegian bases himself on the simple principle that Haydn is so strong that one can just let him do the talking without the addition of added romanticisms. While the tempos may strike some as brisk, there is good reason to believe that they are historically adequate. The result to me is stunning. While these Concertos may one strike as simple since they were written fast using simple ingredients, Adness brings out all their true genius. His phrasing is flawless and his approach in the slow movements defines the modern view of classicism.

The resulting disc is a pleasure from start to finish. While I had some difficulty with the "authentic" low vibrato approach of the accompanying orchestra and its contrast to a perfectly intoned Steinway, this was only a minor drawback. The quality of the recording is outstanding.

Haydn was a busy man, who did not have the luxury of spending a whole summer on a few pages of a work like Brahms did on his Third Symphony. Yet, recordings like this one highlight that true genius can create magic with the simplest of ingredients.

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The greatest pianist in the world today!

Leif Ove Andsnes is the best! ...in everything he has recorded.

Tracks
Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Hob.XVIII:4: I: Allegro | Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Hob.XVIII:4: II. Adagio | Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Hob.XVIII:4: III. Finale (Rondo - Presto) | Piano Concerto No.3 in F, Hob.XVIII:3: I: Allegro | Piano Concerto No.3 in F, Hob.XVIII:3: II. Largo cantabile | Piano Concerto No.3 in F, Hob.XVIII:3: III. Finale (Presto) | Piano Concerto No.11 in D, Hob.XVIII:11: I: Vivace | Piano Concerto No.11 in D, Hob.XVIII:11: II. Un poco adagio | Piano Concerto No.11 in D, Hob.XVIII:11: III. Rondo all'Ungarese (Allegro assai)

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