| Review by gonzostick February 6, 2011 (1 of 4 found this review helpful)
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Brilliant performances that flow like quicksilver, excellent orchestral playing, great conducting and brilliant solo work on a restored Walcker organ from 1887/88.
For years, SACD enthusiasts have been wishing for CBS/Sony to release the old E Power Biggs and Maurice Peress quadraphonic mastertape of these two lovely works. That, until this disc, was the best recordings of these two concerti.
This release has made that older recording unnecessary.
The biggest problem in recording these works is that conductor, organ, and orchestra can give in to the lushness and the music loses its impulse. This is why the older Capriccio SACD of these works is not good. The music just sort of plods on that one. Also, the organ is a North German instrument with screeching mixtures, where this music really requires a more symphonic organ, just like the one used on the MDG release.
I still miss the Biggs recording, but this one is really very special and completely delightful.
DO NOT MISS!
One small thing... The opening notes of the second concerto, which opens the disc, start way to suddenly. I wish MDG had just given us one or two seconds of room tone, before starting the music. Otherwise, this disc is lovely.
There is no indication of whether this was a DSD recording or PCM. It still sounds wonderful!!!
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