Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Gian Carlo Menotti, Darius Milhaud :: Sari Biro

A Fine Pianist In Unusual Repertoire

Jeffrey Lipscomb | Sacramento, CA United States | 05/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Why Hungarian pianist Sari Biro (1912-1990) did not achieve greater fame is a mystery to me. I prefer her warm, romantic virtuosity to any number of contemporary artists whose names are better known (and she was a lot better-looking, too). Her recording of Mozart's 23rd Piano Concerto with Wilhelm Loibner on an old Remington LP has long been one of my favorites (along with Kempff on DG and Haskil on Philips). This Pearl CD presents in good sound three "live" 1949 concerto readings from Carnegie Hall: Menotti's Piano Concerto, a Concertino by Hungarian composer Leon Weiner, and Milhaud's 2nd Piano Concerto, plus several "live" encores.



The Menotti may not be as virtuosic as Earl Wild's studio account on Vanguard (a must-have for its coupling, a composer-led recording of Copland's Piano Concerto), but it's very lovely just the same. Likewise the Weiner & Milhaud. Among the encores, Von Sauer's "Music Box" is a wonderful display of delicate virtuosity, the Pick-Mangialli is delightful, and the Scarlatti is warmly expressive.



According to the CD notes, composer Vincent d'Indy heard Biro and declared "To hear Sari play makes one a better human being." So here's an opportunity for self-improvement, along with the chance to hear an under-rated pianist in some unusual repertoire.



Recommended."