Schumann & Dvořák: Piano Concertos Martin Helmchen, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg & Marc Albrecht

• Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856): Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54:
• 1 Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54: I. Allegro affettuoso - Andante espressivo 14:23
• 2 Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54: II. Intermezzo - Andantino grazioso 05:07
• 3 Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54: III. Allegro vivace 11:00
• Antonín Dvořák (1841 - 1904): Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33:
• 4 Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33: I. Allegro agitato 18:58
• 5 Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33: II. Andante sostenuto 09:44
• 6 Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33: III. Finale - Allegro con fuoco 11:20
• Total Runtime 01:10:32

Info for Schumann & Dvořák: Piano Concertos

Acclaimed young pianist Martin Helmchen is joined by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg under Marc Albrecht on these refreshingly inventive and innovative interpretations of piano concertos by Schumann and Dvořák.

A very nice coupling, this. Martin Helmchen’s natural phrasing and lightness of touch serves both pieces very well. He shapes the fluid lines in Schumann’s first movement effortlessly, and Marc Albrecht goads the orchestra to a fiery response that makes the work a real dialog between two distinct characters. The Intermezzo has plenty of charm without ever turning coy, while the finale’s surging rhythms are confidently projected but never rushed. The only negative point (in both works) concerns the timidity of the orchestral brass and timpani, slightly at odds with the energy of the interpretations themselves.

It’s so good to see Dvorák’s lovely concerto getting more attention these days–a great work that never deserved its neglect. Like many pianists, Helmchen plays a cross between the original piano part and Kurz’s revision, but to his credit he abjures much of the thickened chordal writing that supposedly better balances the solo against the orchestra (nonsense!). This proves a considerable advantage, particularly in the Andante. Perhaps the finale slows down a touch too much in the middle, before the final return to Tempo I, but otherwise, and like the Schumann, this is a winning performance in just about all respects.

"Martin Helmchen is clearly a staunch advocate for Dvorák's neglected Concerto. There are many things to enjoy in this beautifully recorded interpretation, but the orchestra is not nearly as assured in the Dvorák as the Schumann… both Helmchen and Albrecht give a magnificently assured performance of the Schumann concerto." (BBC Music Magazine)

"...a genuinely distinguished account of the Schumann concerto, beautifully coloured and phrased, and with a lightness of touch that's altogether admirable…" (The Guardian)

"Martin Helmchen delivers a refreshing performance of Schumann and Dvorak's piano concertos...the tumbling motifs of Dvorak's first movement are impulsive, the cadenza and Andante are confidently characterised." (The Independent)

Martin Helmchen, piano
Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg
Marc Albrecht, conductor

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