Search - Bela Bartok, Andras Ligeti, Budapest Symphony Orchestra :: Bartók: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3

Great Concertos, well played, great price.

Karl Henzy | 12/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's tough to beat Naxos, considering how inexpensive their discs are. And there generally is no sacrifice in quality of performance--certainly not on this disc. Bartok has to be considered one of the great revolutionaries in writing for the piano. More than anyone, he makes it into a fantastic percussion instrument. In the 1st Concerto, where this is most evident, the Piano sounds like the warlord leader, and the orchestra like his supporting gang. The slow movement in the 1st is a great example of B's "Night Music," some of the most compelling slow music ever. The 2d Concerto is Bartok's response to neo-classicism, starting off with Baroque-sounding trumpets, then gradually breaking apart into his usual madhouse. The 3d Concerto, from my point of view, is a disappointment. He was tired and dying (and yet the unfinished Viola Concerto has energy). Fans of this disc should also try Bartok's Piano Sonata, his suite for Piano "Out of Doors," and his Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion."

What, only one other review for this CD?

Jeffrey W. Richman | 04/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a very exciting account of all Bartok's 3 concertos for piano. The first two seem to share the most in common in terms of the musical language, and both are of the highest quality in my opinion (I tend to agree with Karl Henzy about the 3rd). Actually, I think the 1st and 2nd are even better than the Concerto for Orchestra, but then I am a piano addict. There is a very raw energy behind all the play between instruments that is quite unlike any other composer. The sudden transitions into formal-sounding counterpoint are very striking, maybe even a bit humorous, although the concertos overall certainly are not. Anyway, easily two of the best piano concertos I own, so don't hesitate to buy this."

I Gave This FIVE Stars, Not Four!

Jeffrey W. Richman | Boynton Beach, Florida United States | 02/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"(I don't know why Amazon printed my review showing only four stars instead of five! And I hope my apostrophes don't turn into question marks. Why does that happen?)



I've been trying to find a CD that competes with the recordings by Vladimir Ashkenazy and The London Philharmonic (which are admittedly not perfect).



I wish the recordings by Zoltan Kocsis were still available.



This disc, featuring Jeno Jando and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, is very good.



At first I was reluctant to give it five stars because there were several parts which disappointed me, and there are so many other Bartok piano concerto CD's on the market. After buying every one of those other compact discs, this turned out to be the best overall.



The weaknesses I perceived had to do with the balance of the orchestra, specifically on portions of concertos #3 and #1.



I've discovered that if you play this disc at high volume, those weaknesses will be obscured.



Jeno Jando's performance is excellent,

and all three finales are played up-tempo.

That is a rare occurrence.



I disagree with reviewers who don't appreciate Bartok's third concerto. Although it is certainly much lighter and more traditional than the previous two, it is actually my favorite. Composed while Bela Bartok was dying, I like to think that he wrote it with one foot in paradise."