Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Tatiana Nikolayeva :: Peter Tchaikovsky: Klavierkonzert In B-Flat Minor, Op. 23

Not many buyers are willing to spend money and take up shelf space with a CD containing only this one familiar work, and in mono at that. But since I collect Tatiana Nikolayeva recordings, let me tell you something about what makes this performance special. Nikolayeva plays the Concerto with an ideal balance of virtuosity and lyricism, ardent and powerful throughout but never forcing her tone or aiming for obvious effects. Her beautiful tonal shadings come across well in this 1959 recording, which also features the young Kurt Masur sounding more energetic than he usually does today. If you love the music, this is really worth hearing. --Leslie Gerber