Schumann, Dvořák: Piano Concertos - Giacometti, Tilkin
Channel Classics CCS SA 17802
Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid
Classical - Orchestral
Schumann, Dvořák: Piano Concertos
Paolo Giacometti (piano)
The Arnheim Philharmonic Orchestra
Michel Tilkin (conductor)
Support this site by purchasing from these vendors using the paid links below.
As an Amazon Associate HRAudio.net earns from qualifying purchases.
Review by Mark Novak - April 13, 2010
The performances on this well-filled SACD (70:44) fully convey the high-romantic nature of the music. If you are a newcomer to either work (which is quite possible for the lesser-known Dvorak) you will come away with a thorough appreciation of both pieces. Pianist Giacometti is a fully commited advocate and is able to convey the grandeur and the beauty inherent in both works. The Schumann has had many recordings over the years, a number of which have already made it to SACD. Does Giacometti surpass the greats? No, not really, but that does not mean he has nothing to offer. Too often, people hold up the iconic performers and recordings of the past at the expense of the many, many finer (but lesser) performances. Giacometti along with Arnhem Philharmonic conducted by Michel Tilkin can hold their heads high with solid, sympathetic performances.
There are a few brief places in the Schumann where orchestra and pianist are ever so slightly out of sync but not so much as to ruin the performance. I also think that the conducting could have been just a bit more liveley at times in both works. That said, just listen to the opening of the second movement andante sostenuto of the Dvorak - the lyrical, haunting (Slavic?) melody sets just the right mood for the piano's entry.
The (stereo) sound is also very good. For once, the balance of the piano and orchestra is closer to reality than usual in concerto recordings. I like this natural balance even though the piano can become buried a little in the forte passages (which happens in the concert hall). The sound is wide-ranging dynamically and harmonically well-balanced and includes a full bottom end. The balance of hall and direct sound is very well judged. The soundstage is a bit two-dimensional suggesting to me that more than a couple of mics were used here.
I hadn't heard this disc since purchasing it in 2003 and when I recently set up my library on this site, I marked this one as "not recommended". Well, I'm changing my mind - Recommended.
Copyright © 2010 Mark Novak and HRAudio.net
Performance:
Sonics (Stereo):
Click here to report errors or omissions in the music details.