Search - Russian National Orchestra, Frederick Chopin, Carl Loewe :: Chopin and Loewe Piano Concertos [DSD Recorded] [Stereo/Multichannel]

Interesting Coupling!

F. Sng | Singapore | 06/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I wasn't referring to the collaboration between husband and wife team, rather a most unusual coupling of Chopin's Piano Concerto No.2 with Carl Loewe's Piano Concerto, also No.2.



Johann Carl Gottfried Löwe (or Loewe in English), was a German composer, baritone singer and conductor. In his lifetime, his songs were well enough known for some to call him the "Schubert of North Germany". However, not many recordings are made of his orchestral works.



While less poetic than Chopin, Loewe's piano concerto does have some exciting passages, with a generous serving of scales, although palatable, but not very memorable. Picture early Mozart, or even Antonio Salieri.



Ms Kodama is equally confident with both works of contrasting nature, while playing Loewe's concerto with zest, we were shown a different side of her in Chopin's piano concerto, one filled with pathos and thoughtfulness. The gem in this recording is the Larghetto from Chopin's piano concerto, the colours and mood change, almost perfect and most achingly beautiful. With strong support from the Russian National Orch, but certainly not overpowering.



There are many more excellent renditions of Chopin's No.2 (Pires, Argerich, Fujiko Hemming) that prevents me from awarding this 5-stars. Nonetheless, the inclusion of a rather rare work makes this a worthy piece of recording."