Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2; Schumann: Piano Concerto

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Robert Schumann (Composer), John Barbirolli (Conductor), Landon Ronald (Conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Alfred Cortot (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alfred Cortot
• Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: John Barbirolli, Landon Ronald
• Composer: Frederic Chopin, Robert Schumann
• Audio CD (November 14, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00004VXD0
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,112 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Piano Con in a, Op.54: Allegro Affettuoso

2. Piano Con in a, Op.54: Intermezzo: Andantino Grazioso

3. Piano Con in a, Op.54: Allegro Vivace

4. Piano Con No.2 in f, Op.21: Allegro

5. Piano Con No.2 in f, Op.21: Larghetto

6. Piano Con No.2 in f, Op.21: Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grand musicianship, beautiful restoration., May 20, 2001

By 

Robert Fung - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2; Schumann: Piano Concerto (Audio CD)

Forget the background hiss, forget the somewhat dry sound quality. This is music as it should be played. There is something so joyous and heartfelt about Alfred Cortot's playing in these two concertos, and the London Philharmonic matches him all the way. The Schumann is a particularly famous piece, and the Chopin deserves more fame than it now has.

As much as I like the Chopin performance, I really must say that it is the Schumann concerto that simply enthralls me. This concerto has had many fine recordings (Radu Lupu's 1973 Decca recording is a personal favorite). Yet Cortot's 1934 recording remains as fresh, engaging, and lovely as ever. It is supremely romantic playing of the most romantic of composers. This recording will always have a special place in my collection.

Naxos should be congratulated for its line of historical recordings, all with excellent restorations and copious liner notes, all at budget price. To anyone who is worried about the ancient recording quality, I can say unequivocally that after half a minute of listening, you will forget all about the hissing as you fall under the spell of the musicians' spirited playing. Who knows, you may even find the sound quality nostalgic. I did.