Search - Edward MacDowell, Arthur Fagen, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland :: MacDowell: Piano Concertos

Glorious MacDowell Piano Concerti Given Expert Performances

Darin Tysdal | Bloomington, MN 55420 | 04/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Except for a misreading of a bass note in the cadenza in the first movement of the first concerto, Stephen Prutsman plays flawlessly. His virtosity is effortless, and never strained. He does not get in the way of the gratutious orchestral parts, so the balance between soloist and orchestra is exemplary. The first concerto especially sounds fresh and newly-minted. Even though the Wild and Cliburn recordings of the 2nd concerto resonate in the mind, this certainly stands as a fine alternative interpretation, and should be listed alongside them. The other short works are well done, too. Great sound and worth the money!"

A budget issue that's worth full-price

Classic Music Lover | Maryland, USA | 06/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chalk up another offering from Naxos classics that is highly competitive with full-price issues. The big treat here is the First Piano Concerto, historically overshadowed by MacDowell's 2nd. Most reviewers tend to give the work short shrift, dismissing it as inferior to the later concerto. I disagree. The middle theme in the 1st movement is one of those haunting melodies that will stick with you for days afterward. Even though one hardly ever hears the 1st in the concert hall, many pianists have recorded the two concerti together -- even back in the LP days when each work fit neatly on one side of the record. Stephen Prutsman does this concerto proud, and is given great support by the Irish players. IMHO, the only recording that gives him a run for his money is the old Eugene List performance on Westminster (with the Vienna State Opera Orchestra conducted by Carlos Chavez, of all people.)



In the 2nd concerto, the competition is more fierce. Again, Prutsman does very well, and he shapes the three movements nicely. Many people like Earl Wild and Van Cliburn in this repertoire. I agree about Wild, but Cliburn has never sent me over the horizon, either in his recording for RCA or in the concert hall (I've seen him do this piece twice, 15 years apart -- both times his performance didn't linger long in the memory). There are of course numerous other recordings of the 2nd you can sample. Whatever you do, stay away from Seta Tanyel on Hyperion ... the tempo in the beginning of the final movement is so s-l-o-w, I laughed out loud when I heard it. I know it's marked "largo", but this is ridiculous! Frankly, I'm surprised conductor Martyn Brabbins was part of that recording project. He is normally so "spot on" in conducting romantic piano concerti ... Ms. Tanyel probably insisted on doing it this way (like her slow Scharwenka concertos, also disappointing). One wonders why Brabbins didn't just put his baton down and walk off the stage!



Anyway, you certainly can't go wrong with the Naxos. Indeed, it would be worth purchasing at twice its budget price."

Great Performance

Casey Kelley | California | 01/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The piano has great reverberation and really sticks out in this recording. The pianist in addition, gives an exceptional performance."