Customer Reviews

Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 12 & 20

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Mozart wrote only two piano concertos in minor keys: #20 and #24.
They are works that give us a hint of the type of music that Mozart living into the "Romantic Period" of music might have composed, had he not died so tragically young.

I have many recordings of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20, K.466 in D minor, but this one blows all others away by far. The pianist Evgeny Kissin, at a mere 20 years of age on this CD, is breathtaking. He (and the Moscow Virtuosi) play with passion and excitement. Never have I heard this masterpiece played so brillantly. The contrasts, tempi changes, mood swings are perfectly captured. In the 1st and 3rd movements Kissin plays the Beethoven cadenzas, which are gems in themselves. The other works on this Mozart CD are his delightful Rondo, K.382 in D and Piano Concerto No. 12, K.414, both wonderful and played with the same spirit and grace. The recorded sound is clear and you hear every magical piano note being played. Although this RCA CD is only available as a special import and is rather expensive, it is well worth the price and I am grateful to own it. Very Highly Recommended!!!

What an incredible recording!! I'm glad I spent $25 (enduring the wrath of my spouse) and waited a couple of weeks for this CD to arrive. Both the pianist and the orchestra are superb. You can't go wrong with this recording.

Kissen has a wonderful sound at the piano. He does Mozart the honor he deseves. He is most definatly one of the best in the world.