Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn: First Piano Concertos

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Artist), Felix Mendelssohn (Artist), Lang Lang (Artist), Daniel Barenboim (Artist), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 15, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B000094HLE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,654 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid Deutsche Grammophon Debut By Lang Lang, July 21, 2003

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn: First Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

Fans of Lang Lang will undoubtedly be pleased with this CD, his Deutsche Grammophon debut recording. But others should be intrigued too, since it is an excellent demonstration of his dramatic, often intense, keyboard pyrotechnics and subtle, lyrical playing. In Lang Lang's hands, both concerti are given splendid performances which should be regarded as first rank (though I have a stronger preference for Thibaudet's rhapsodic playing of the Mendelssohn concerto in his recent Decca recording.). His performance of the 1st Tchaikovsky piano concerto is especially noteworthy, since it is replete with keyboard pyrotechnics and subtle, lyrical playing, especially in the second movement. In both works he is well supported by Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who are sympathetic accompanists to Lang's playing. Deutsche Grammophon's sound engineers have done a fine job creating a well balanced recording. Again, while this is not my primary recommendation for either concerti, this CD is still worth acquiring for Lang Lang's superb, often spellbinding, playing.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alternative interpretations by a talented artist, December 31, 2006

By 

D. R. Schryer (Poquoson, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn: First Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

I regret that there is so much controversy over Lang Lang's performances. I for one am glad that various artists present their personal interpretations of various works. If every performer played exactly the same way and rigidly followed every note, marking, and tempo of each written score with no personal expression I would find musical performances not only boring but also, in many cases, unsatisfying. For example, I prefer some pieces of music played more slowly and lyrically than written while I prefer more robust interpretations of other music. Variety of interpretation allows me and other listeners to find one or more performances of a given piece of music which satisfy our individual tastes even though others may find the same performances unsatisfactory or even objectionable. Lang Lang is a very talented pianist with a unigue perspective which often results in alternative interpretations of classical standards. I enjoy hearing Lang Lang's interpretations, and find them interesting, even though they may not be my favorite ones. I cannot say whether you will or will not like this CD -- that depends upon your personal taste -- but you will find the performances competently played and not boring.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very good Tchaikovsky, dull Mendelssohn, February 6, 2005

By 

Southern Man (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn: First Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

Four stars for the Tchaikovsky, two stars for the Mendelssohn, three overall.

The problem with a work that already has so many outstanding versions available is that everybody already has a favorite version or two and invariably they compare new performances against these. The challenge is to record a version that justifies adding yet another Tchaikovsky first to the catalog while staying true to the work. Lang and Barenboim have succeeded with a very beautiful reading of the Tchaikovsky. Mr. Lang's obvious technical proficiency is fully in service of the music itself both in the thunderous opening theme and in the quieter passages.

Alas, the same can not be said of the Mendelssohn. Although not as popular as the Tchaikovsky first, this is still a major work and can not be considered as mere filler. The playing of the Chicago ensemble is particularly uninspired on this work which comes as a letdown after a spirited performance of the Tchaikovsky. The CD overall can therefore not be considered a success. However, those who already own a satisfying version of the Mendelssohn first should not be disappointed if they purchase this disc just for the Tchaikovsky.