| Review by Michelten May 23, 2009 (7 of 7 found this review helpful)
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This record includes a wonderful programme with the 1st and 2nd Mendelssohn Piano Concertos, and a selection of Songs without Words. Leonskaja’s interpretation is phenomenal, accurately portraying the high sense of romanticism and passion that is a watermark in all of Mendelssohn’s music. The orchestra performs with a vivid tempo, nice articulation, and impressive dynamics in the string section.
I have mixed feelings with the recording (pcm): on the one hand, piano sonorities are reasonably rich at the higher register, and orchestral sounds are colourful as individual instruments play their leading parts; on the other hand, definition and clarity are below average, and piano presence and mid-register sonority is somewhat deceiving, particularly in the concertos' f and ff sections (unlike in the SwW's). This, I find rather surprising as MDG so proudly writes about the quality of their recordings. I should nevertheless mention this is their trademark "2+2+2" recording (centre and sub outputs are diverted to two front higher channels instead), and even though MDG claims it’s 5.1 compatible, I believe sound might be compromised when played with a MCH 5.1 setting. I haven't listen the 2CH version; perhaps that would avoid these concerns.
All things considered, on grounds of Leonskaja’s excellent interpretation and Camerata Salzburg's superb orchestral performance, I would still recommended it, particularly to all Mendelssohn fans.
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