Search - Robert Schumann, Alexander Rahbari, Andras Ligeti :: Schumann: Piano Concerto; Introduction and Allegro appassionato, Op. 92; Introduction and Allegro, Op. 134

Not Too Exciting, and Certainly Not Competitive with Others

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 03/14/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This CD seems to be a reissue of three Schumann piano-and-orchestra works that previously appeared on three different Naxos (or Marco Polo, I honestly can't remember) discs. There is a certain logic in putting these three works on the same disc, but only if they are competitive recordings. These aren't. Competitive recordings of the A Major Concerto, of course, are legion. This performance is dull, catching fire only in the third movement; it is fair to say that Jando does manage those delicious hemiolas in that movement with both panache and plasticity. There are fewer recordings of the Introduction and Allegro Appassionato, Op. 92, and the Introduction and Allegro, Op. 134, but they are certainly not from Schumann's top drawer and nowhere near as well-known or well-loved as the Concerto. Further, the performances of the three orchestras here are serviceable at best. Recorded sound for the Concerto and the Op. 92 is less than acceptable. It's a shame, because Jando is a fine pianist, but he's given little help here. For the record, the Concerto is played by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra under András Ligeti, the Op. 92 by the BRT Philharmonic (Belgian Radio) under Alexander Rahbari, and the Op. 134 by the Polish National Radio SO under Antoni Wit. The first two were recorded in the 1980s, the latter in 1996. Wit is the best conductor and he has the best orchestra, but unfortunately he is accompanying the weakest of the three concerted pieces.



This coupling is rare on CD, and that might be a reason to buy this budget disc. But Serkin has recorded two of the three pieces, coupled on Sony Classical, and they are vastly superior to this one.



Scott Morrison"

"The Poet Speaks!"

Sungu Okan | Istanbul, Istanbul Turkey | 01/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am writing the work list, because when I rewieved, there are no list:



Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54

Performed by Budapest Symphony Orchestra with Jeno Jando

conducted by Andras Ligeti



Introduction and Allegro Appasionato in G Major, Op. 92

BRT (Brussels) Phiharmonic Orchestra with Jeno Jando

conducted by Alexander Rahbari



Introduction and Concert Allegro in D minor, Op. 134

Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra with Jeno Jando

conducted by Antoni Wit





I don't think so, about "it is a bad recording". No, because, Jeno Jando is still a very good pianist, who played impressive especially Mozart, and he performed these works with sensitiveness.



The Concerto is may be the most famous work on this CD. But the other two works are really good and romantic. These are worth to listening, and deserve to be much-better known. Especially the D minor "Introduction and Concert Allegro", which during Schumann's last period, is really romantic and calling the poetic virtuosity for a pianist. And this work is influenced to Brahms, who in the year of death of Schumann, written the First D minor Piano Concerto, in memory of Schumann.



A REVIEW OF "CLASSIC CD":

"Jeno Jando and his Polish colleagues strike me as getting the balance just about right"



These couple of romantic concertos, are really worth to listening, and at this price, you can not go wrong with it.



Highly recommended.



"