Search - Felix Mendelssohn, Slovak State Philhar Orchestra Kosice, Dorothy Jonas :: Mendelssohn: Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 for 2 Pianos & Orchestra

Unusually good Mendelssohn, beautifully performed

01/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mendelssohn seems to be one of those unpredictable composers who does not maintain a recognizable style but instead will write a romantic piece, or a post-baroque, or something pre-avant garde. I'm never certain what I'll get when I purchase an album with his compositions. I bought this album because it promised dual pianos, so curiosity drove me and not expectation. I was completely and happily surprised. The two concertos are not only fluid and romantic, but the pianos resound with a crisp sound that is highlighted against the orchestra. Pierce and Jonas, the pianists, are remarkable. Their playing is neither too driven, such as in some of the key-pounders one finds today, nor too delicate. Instead, they are playing Mendelssohn and they want you to know it. Their coordination is magnificent, as if they'd played together since birth. These are fairly obscure concertos which deserve much more attention, ranking up there with the violin concertos! If you are hesitating about purchasing this album, don't. The recorded sound is crisp and clear, the music fluid and masterful. Lovely and entertaining, I could (and did) listen to it for hours."

A pleasant surprise

Ryan Richards | Midland, MI United States | 06/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yeah, I'll admit it: When I saw "Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra" and the names of two unknown pianists, I hesitated to buy this CD. I ended up buying it anyway, though, because it was such a bargain price, and I found I shouldn't have worried. These performances of these sparkling Mendelssohn works (if "sparkling Mendelssohn" isn't redundant) are energetic, crisp and clear, with true virtuoso playing from the soloists. I was already familiar with these concertos and I had pretty strict standards regarding how they should be played, but Pierce and Jonas met those standards without missing a beat (so to speak). You can really hear Mendelssohn's youthful, innocent genius shining through in their performances, which are matched by vivacious and competent orchestral backing. It's just a flurry of notes from beginning to end, and these soloists and this orchestra make every one enjoyable. Basically, this CD's price is bottom-of-the-barrel, but the performances it contains are anything but. Isn't that the kind of thing we music lovers like to hear!"