BARTÓK Piano Concertos

 

Piano Concerto No.1, BB 91, Sz. 83

Krystian Zimerman, piano

Chicago Symphony Orchestra/ Pierre Boulez

 

Piano Concerto No.2, BB 101, Sz. 95

Leif Ole Andsnes, piano

Berliner Philharmoniker/ Pierre Boulez

 

Piano Concerto No.3, BB 127, Sz. 119

Zimerman, Andsnes, Grimaud

Chicago Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony/ Pierre Boulez

 

On 26 March 2005 Pierre Boulez will celebrate his 80th birthday. Being one of the central figures of 20th century music and godfathers of the avantgarde movement, 32 times Grammy winner Pierre Boulez can undoubtedly be called a living legend.

 

"20th-century music history cannot be recounted without mentioning the works of Bartók", insists Pierre Boulez. "They define the 20th century."

 

This new release features Bartók's three piano concertos, with three great pianists and three of the world's great orchestras: Krystian Zimerman and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Leif-Ove Andsnes and the Berliner Philharmoniker, Hélène Grimaud and the London Symphony Orchestra.

 

A nice idea – three pianists and three orchestras linked by a single composer and conductor – but it does inevitably raise awkward questions about which combination is best. Well, Grimaud and the LSO in No 3 offer the real highlight of the disc, with a reading of quite tremendous power and colour.

Gramophone

 

DG 4775330