Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Lev Markiz, Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam :: Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Piano Concertos

Skip that foolish Amazon review

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 07/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Never mind that Amazon review of this CD, which was written to spite this delicious record. It helps to be a Mendelssohn lover to enjoy this disc, but you can enjoy piano muisc, Romantic music or Classical music and love it nonetheless. Ronald Brautigam is an expert pianist in Mendelssohn and Haydn and shows his expertise on this CD.The youghtful Piano Concerto in A Minor, from 1822, is an outstanding piece by the young Mendelssohn, written when he was 13. More than anything on this record it shows how Mendelssohn was the happy life in Classical music. It projects his youthful enthusiam, happiness, poise and training while going on for more than a half-hour. Mendelssohn fanciers not familiar with this piece will enjoy it greatly.The more well-known Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 are done to the hilt by Brautigam and the New Symphony Amsterdam, with Brautigam using a Fazioli piano that adds to the excitement. With more than 72 minutes of Mendelssohn excitement, this is a disk worth having and holding onto. It is antidote to too much Beethoven and Mahler in your collection and helps you ferret out the joy of music.If your only experience with the piano concertos of Mendelssohn is the biggest names in the business -- Perhaia, Serkin, Hough, Schiff -- you should try this CD for an alternative view that envelops Mendelssohn's natural joyous appraoch to music. This collection never fails to delight"