The Beethoven Journey –
Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3
Leif Ove Andsnes;
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Sony 88725420582
One of my favorite pianists, Leif Ove Andsnes came to record this CD by way of an elevator in São Paulo, Brazil. He loved hearing short fragments of these concertos playing on a loop in the hotel elevator. Lucky for us, Andsnes fell in love again with Beethoven’s music as we will in listening to this CD. I find it difficult to believe that this is his first recording of Beethoven.
Andsnes also directs the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in this seamless journey in rediscovering the diversity of ideas and expressions in Beethoven’s mesmerizing masterpieces. Andsnes feels the music in a deeply spiritual way which he communicates in sublime phrasing, especially in the slow movements. His shaping of the melodic singing lines captures Beethoven’s soul-wrenching humanity and desire to change the world through his music.
The Piano Concerto No.1 in C Major reflects the style of Haydn and Mozart. However, Beethoven uses spaciousness and basic rhythmic patterns to create fresh and intense musical rhetoric. The slow movement which is immense is also one of the most beautiful of the concertos. The first theme in the third movement feels like a Turkish march, popular in Vienna at that time. Andsnes has the rhythmic articulation and drive, crisp runs and a sense of humour to make this movement sparkle like a gem.
The Piano Concerto No.3 in C Minor is much grander in scale, with something like a military march in the first movement. There is a rich layering of motifs building tension that results in an extreme dramatic impact. The slow movement is heart wrenching in its beauty and Andsnes milks every nuance of emotion in his performance. The technical virtuosity of Andsnes’ playing is flawless. Stylistically it is impeccable. His fingers dance over the keyboard, caress the keys with a velvet touch and display his exquisite musicianship in a myriad of tonal colours. I look forward to the rest of his Beethoven journey with anticipation.
