Grieg's Piano Concerto

[rubio]

So far I only have the below Andsnes recording, and I wonder if there exists other recordings as good as this one or even superior? It would surprise me if some other performance has the same Norwegian atmosphere.

[Todd]

So far I only have the below Andsnes recording, and I wonder if there exists other recordings as good as this one or even superior?

As good, perhaps; better, no.  Michelangeli's various recordings are as good, and depending on what you're listening for, Lipatti's may be (I don't think it is), but if ever I want to listen to this piece, Andsnes is my man.  I've even been able to sell off some inferior versions.  (Whatever you do, and no matter the advice to the contrary, stay away from the Zimerman / Karajan snooze-fest.)

[Mark]

I've heard about a dozen recordings, but this performance by Cecile Ousset remains (for me) unbeatable:



However, I'm always interested in hearing other interpretations, so I'll be looking into any other discs that get seconded here.

NB: The cover featured is the original CD release. It's now on EMI Red Line and HMV Classics (but the transfer on the latter of these ain't so hot).

[George]

Hey Mark!

There's another Grieg thread that got started today as well. I am not sure which board.

As to your request I've only heard Kovacevich, but I like it! 

[Mark]

Thanks for the disc suggestion, George. I have the Kovacevich, but I always feel he takes the bits I expect to go slowly quickly, and the parts I want quick slow.

[George]

Hi George.

Yes, I've just posted in the other thread - I must've missed it altogether! How odd.

I'm waiting for a Mod to merge them.

Thanks for the disc suggestion, though.

No prob.

Apparently the coupled Schumann (Surprise!) PC is also a classic. The conductor is Davis I believe. 

[George]

Yes, that's right:

http://www.amazon.com/Grieg-Schumann-Concertos-Edvard-composer/dp/B00005IB59/ref=sr_1_3/104-2949723-2736732?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1180905116&sr=8-3

[Solitary Wanderer]

Yes, this piece is something my parents played regularly when I was very young [along with Peer Gynt] so this is very much part of the soundtrack of my [early] life.

Last year the APO performed it so I seized the opportunity to revisit this wonderful piano concerto.

I bought this version:

which is excellent especially coupled with the wonderful Schumann PC.

Yes its a very famous piano concerto and bit of an old warhorse but putting aside my personal soft spot for it I still think its a fabulous, uplifting, exciting composition. Bravo! 

[Gurn Blanston]

OK, done and done.

Now. Get the Andsnes. I liked the old Pennario recording on Seraphim. But the Andsnes beats it, hands down.

[Mark]

Thanks, Gurn.

I expect few people will have this, but there's actually a quite commendable performance by Igor Urjash with the New Philharmony, St. Petersburg under the baton of Alexander Titov. Very different from the Ousset, but not unenjoyable.

[dirkronk]

Based on other items from his hands I would expect very good things from Andsnes' take on Grieg. But since I have not yet acquired and heard his (my own fault--Todd and others recommended Andsnes many months ago and I simply haven't tracked a copy down yet), I cannot promise that my longtime favorites will be substantially different. Still, I have always been most satisfied by Solomon/Menges--plenty of mmph, but also plenty of poetry; if anything holds this one back, it's probably the orchestral side of things--and Earl Wild (he's done several, but his version for Readers Digest, w/ Leibowitz/RPO IIRC, is superbly performed and recorded; Chesky and probably other labels have done CD transfers). YMMV, of course, and keep in mind that I imprinted on the Solomon version, so my objectivity regarding that one may be considered suspect.

I do keep many other versions, including two or more Michelangeli (Todd's right, he's excellent in this piece, but the sonics on the ones I have don't impress as much as the performances), Kovacevich--when he was still just Bishop or at least in early hyphenation mode--w/ Davis (pretty impressive overall, and very refined, though I still find Solomon more convincingly poetic where called for in this piece...but I've already warned you of my infatuation with that one), Lipatti (I probably don't dislike his version as much as Todd does, but I still would never consider it a must; his Schumann, however, eventually grows on you, and the two performances are often found in tandem), Gieseking (he did this concerto a lot, but he's not the first pianist one would think of...still, worth a listen), Curzon (many critics, notably the Penguin dudes, raved, but this one did nothing for me), Katchen (haven't heard this one in years: my response was tepid back in LP days but recently got an Australian CD transfer and will be reevaluating it) and Tomsic (never count out this pianist, even when her orchestral backup seems iffy...as with Katchen, I'm too early in my evaluation to recommend).

OK, enough. Work beckons. And I'm sure I've hogged enough thread space as it is.



Dirk

[Todd]

Lipatti (I probably don't dislike his version as much as Todd does, but I still would never consider it a must; his Schumann, however, eventually grows on you, and the two performances are often found in tandem)

Hey now, I didn't say I dislike the Lipatti - just the opposite in fact - I just stated that I don't think it's as good as the Andsnes!

[dirkronk]

Hey now, I didn't say I dislike the Lipatti - just the opposite in fact - I just stated that I don't think it's as good as the Andsnes!

Oops. Mea culpa. Didn't mean to put words in your mouth there, Todd. Re-read your post and am properly chastened.


Dirk

[Todd]

Oops. Mea culpa. Didn't mean to put words in your mouth there, Todd. Re-read your post and am properly chastened.

As penance, I expect you to get the Andsnes recording!

[dirkronk]

As penance, I expect you to get the Andsnes recording!

If it's as good as I've been led to believe, I'll have to prepare to genuflect whilst listening.

[mahlertitan]

what about his symphony?

[springrite]

what about his symphony?

I don't believe Andsnes is as good in that!

[mahlertitan]

I don't believe Andsnes is as good in that!

Grieg's symphony, go check it out.

[MishaK]

As good, perhaps; better, no.  Michelangeli's various recordings are as good, and depending on what you're listening for, Lipatti's may be (I don't think it is), but if ever I want to listen to this piece, Andsnes is my man.  I've even been able to sell off some inferior versions.  (Whatever you do, and no matter the advice to the contrary, stay away from the Zimerman / Karajan snooze-fest.)

Of available Michelangelis the best one hands down, sonically and interpretively, is the live BBC version with Frühbeck de Burgos and the New Philharmonia on BBC's own label. Absolutely stunning. Makes me want to leap out of my seat and scream "Bravo!" evey time. There is an ancient one from the 40s on Teldec in wretched sound (trumpets sound like kazoos) and ABM's playing isn't nearly as inspired. Avoid that one.

[dirkronk]

Of available Michelangelis the best one hands down, sonically and interpretively, is the live BBC version with Frühbeck de Burgos and the New Philharmonia on BBC's own label. Absolutely stunning. Makes me want to leap out of my seat and scream "Bravo!" evey time.

I remember you posting about this one before. Performances that inspire that kind of response are exactly what make classical collecting so appealing, IMO. *sigh* OK...that's TWO more performances of the Grieg that I have to buy...

Soon-to-be-impecunious Dirk