Search - Rafal Blechacz :: Piano Concertos

A great young pianist keeps fulfilling his promise

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/28/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The stature of young Rafal Blechacz has yet to reach the general music public. When he was awarded all five prizes at the 2005 Chopin competition, one judge declared that it was misleading to give a second prize, such was the distance between Blechacz and the field, while the noted Irish pianist John O'Conor, another juror, praised the twenty-year-old as one of the greatest artists he had ever heard. Blechacz took the accolades in stride and returned to conservatory to finish his training. This, his first Chopin CD for DG since a debut recording of the 24 Preludes, confirms his place as the premiere pianist of the coming generation.



The lead reviewer complains, with justice, that this new version of Concerto no. 1 isn't as impetuous or fiery as Blechacz's prize-winning performance five years ago. It is more reflective than flashy, and I wish there had been more fireworks. Even so, the pianist's natural feeling for phrasing is beyond reproach; one has t go back to the young Argerich -- a more volatile artist, of course -- to hear such fresh, totally assured Chopin. For me, the test of any recording of these concertos comes in the two Larghettos, where the composer's lyrical genius transcends his young age and soars as it would later in the mature Nocturnes. Blechacz is mesmerizing and tender, showing no sign of affectation. In the fast movements, every run, trill, and roulade means something musically -- a rare thing in these discursive, sprawling ruminations -- and the voicing is full and romantic, not tinkly or reminiscent of the salon. DG's sound isn't first rate, but they've captured the piano well, and it's an attractive instrument.



One advantage is that Semkow takes the adolescent composer's orchestral accompaniments seriously, which is rarely the case, finding the intention that underlies some faulty and immature execution. It may be almost impossible to raise the orchestral part to the level of the soloist's, but Semkow's serious, thoughtful reading avoids the fussiness that often plagues big-name conductors when they over-polish the score or veer in the other direction and inflate it. Dutoit may have gutsier moments with Argerich, but he is often too blunt or draggy, as was Mehta on Lang Lang's recent recording for DG. I must say that the yellow label has issued more than its share of great Chopin -- one wonders why Pollini never recorded these works for them -- and the new Blechacz is a worthy addition, even if listeners looking for a grandstand reading may not find what they want."

Four Stars (+) for young Rafal's two Concerti.

A. F. S. Mui | HK | 02/24/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Why only four plus?

I think if the producer in DG gives young Rafal a full free-hand in the two pieces' performance, he would most probably come up with a real 5-star performance.

I love Rafal's No. 1 Concerto as played during the 15th Chopin Competition in 2005. That was one of the best ever performances of that concerto - full of vibrant youthful vigour, beautiful balance, goose-bump sending passion and impeccable keyboard technique. The last movement came with a jaw-dropping finale. Small wonder the 'best concerto performance' award went ALSO to Rafal!

What about these two DG recordings collected in the present album?

Well, I would say that the No. 1 alone is sort of being 'watered down'. Semkow is a veteran conductor. He has previously recorded this same piece under DG with Vasary some 30 odd years ago. I don't think the problem, if any, lies with him. Nor do I tend to think that there is any 'problem' with young Rafal. However, if you go for youthful passion, these two pieces here are quite deficient.

Instead, we have two very carefully worked out, impeccably articulated, fully balanced but leaves a somewhat 'tacky' feeling that lacked the crispness and vigour of the youthful Chopin.

I would only wish DG good luck. If they do not own top-notch producers, it is high time to let their top musicians have their own free hand!"