Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 / Overture on Hebrew Themes

Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 / Overture on Hebrew Themes cover $35.00 Low Stock add to cart

SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 / Overture on Hebrew Themes
Simon Trpceski (piano) / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko

[ ONYX / CD ]

Release Date: Saturday 7 January 2017

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Prokofiev was just 21 when he first performed his First Piano Concerto in Moscow, on 25 July 1912, with his teacher Nikolay Tcherepnin conducting. That same year, even as he was composing his ferocious Second Piano Concerto, Prokofiev was contemplating composing "a little pendant, something a little lighter". The Third Concerto has the kind of grace, economy and 'balance' that one might almost call Classical. Indeed, it has stylistic traits in common with Prokofiev's First Symphony known as the 'Classical'. It has become one of the 20th century's most popular concertos.

"this is a hit; the most satisfying performances of these concertos I've heard in a long while. I wonder if they're thinking about embarking on a series?" MusicWeb June 2017

"Simon TrpĨeski and his regular partners, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under Vasily Petrenko, serve up [the First Piano Concerto] with plenty of glitter and panache. The more reflective Third Piano Concerto, full of beautiful tunes, also receives a totally idiomatic and compelling performance, forcing it to the front of quite a crowded field" Mail on Sunday

"The Macedonian pianist doesn't go in for dark introspection - slow themes tend to be inquisitive rather than outright melancholy - and makes an exception to the rule that all Prokofiev should be laced with sarcasm and subversion. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra sounds seriously good under Vasily Petrenko." The Guardian

"[these] Prokofiev recordings are every bit as polished and satisfying as I remember from live accounts (of the Third Concerto) in Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall…thoroughly musical accounts, beautifully rehearsed so that orchestra and piano can have an equal share in the action" Gramophone

"Listen to the way the first movement's second subject is enunciated so crisply, and how often do we get to hear the lower strings' soft accompaniment? Even the castanet player deserves a medal; it's as if someone's wiped the dust off an old portrait. Sample the shimmering string textures just before the recapitulation, before a breathtaking dash to the finish. Everything's in perfect equilibrium: an irresistible blend of flippant wit and deep soul." The Arts Desk

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat major, Op. 10
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26
Overture on Hebrew Themes, for orchestra, Op. 34b