Search - Joseph Haydn, Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Concerto Copenhagen :: Haydn: Keyboard concertos ('Ronald Brautigam Plays Joseph Haydn') /Brautigam * Concerto Copenhagen * Mortensen

Invigorating performances from a formidable player

JM Olmesdahl | 09/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Haydn's concertos have been lucky on CD this year receiving two noteworthy period performances: one, by Andreas Staier and the Freiburg Baroque on Harmonia Mundi - HMC-901854 (64'20"); the other, Ronald Brautigam and the Concerto Copenhagen on BIS - CD-1318 ( 75'54"). Of the two, first choice must go Ronald Brautigam, not only because he offers us four concertos to the three offered by Staier, but because, compared to Staier, he is much nimbler and more sparkling overall in his delivery. Staier sounds almost amateurish, even though we know he is not, and his orchestra sound somewhat heavy-handed and humourless compared to the lighter-sounding textures of Concerto Copenhagen. Those who may have bought and enjoyed Brautigam's series of sonatas by Mozart and Haydn for fortepiano will already know what to expect in terms of his playing. What marred my enjoyment of that series was the reverberant "halo" surrounding the instrument. So it was some hesitation that I approached this new release, especially given the criticisms BIS has received for its overly reverberant recordings of the complete concertos of C.P.E. Bach. But I was pleasantly surprised to find no such reverberance here. Some may wonder, as I did, about the use of a harpsichord continuo, but this is a matter of historical interpretation and hardly distracts from the spirit of the performances. If you're looking for a modern piano version (which I do not believe does justice to these works) then this is not the place to find it. But for anyone looking for a historically informed performance, Brautigam's is the one to go for."

Absolute knockout CD

Teemacs | Switzerland | 01/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard a snatch of this on the car radio and had to have it. It's a delightful record. Mijnheer Brautigam plays superbly and fluidly (and his tinkly fortepiano sounds great). And the accompanying Concerto Copenhagen plays with a verve and a sparkle that are reminiscent of the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields at its best. Add to that the bright, witty music of Joseph Haydn and you have a completely irresistible package. Don't even try."