Tongue firmly in cheek
bonerfly | NY | 10/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Poulenc's Double Concerto has been my favorite since I first heard Gold/Fitzdale and "Lennie's" NYPO perform it Live in 1961. So much so that I own 5 different duo recordings of it. in all reviews I have ever read about it, they always refer to the idiomatic playing of the French Orchestras and Piano players. I have always thought this concerto sounded more American than French. But that may only be me. This is a most clever, joyous, animated and yes even cartoonish at times with tongue firmly in cheek piece of music EVER. Requiring the most dynamic and nimble of fingers. The Turkish/Spanish Pekinel sisters are MORE than up to the task. They are nimble, quick, witty and dashing. A great performance. With a most beautiful and perfect balance with the French orchestra led by a Czech. Go figure. Yet it does have a gay French & (American to me) "idiomatic" feel to it. The recording is SUPERB. You can almost hear and feel their fingers hitting the keys just before the notes (Just some imagery)..Wonderful support and sparkle from the rollicking French orchestra and their conductor. This is right up there with any version I have and I figure I would be very unlucky to not have the definitive version somewhere among my five. The Carnival Of The Animals is wonderful also, but the Concerto steals the show."