|
Review by beardawgs February 6, 2004 (5 of 6 found this review helpful)
|
Performance:  Sonics:  |
Another one beyond the criticism, but…
Perahia is a leading Bach authority. No dispute about that. Also, I personally prefer Bach keyboard music played on the piano than on the harpsichord. And Perahia (just like Andras Schiff) has a perfect balance and measure. All that is evident throughout this disc. What I’m not sure about this time is his choice of music. He can obviously record whatever he wants, but I don’t necessary agree in treating Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 as a show off piece (just) for the pianist.
To be honest, both concertos sound a bit on the ‘heavy’ side. IMO it works better with a ‘proper’ concerto for flute and violin, but Brandenburg 5 lacks some impact and drive. It is after all a concerto grosso, where all the soloists and tutti have equally important roles. Furthermore, they all sound a bit constrained in the first movement, as if they are all trying not to get in the way (at least not much) of the piano. Somehow, Perahia’s piano always dominates the sound picture. I couldn’t escape for a second being reminded who is the star performer here. As if the rest of the concerto was recorded around the long and elaborate piano cadenza, where I still didn’t hear much Bach, but Perahia and Perahia again.
Italian concerto is as good as you can expect from Perahia. But I don’t like one bit the concept of this disc. The playing is superb, the recording is equally good, it’s just that there is not much Bach’s music here. It’s all about Perahia.
|
Was this review helpful to you?
yes |
no
|
|
