Review by JJ January 10, 2008 (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
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Here is a remarkable recording where artistic expression, one that opens new interpretive approaches, reaches new peaks. Here, the piano-forte is master of a universe in the making, and Mozart himself realized its importance when he wrote: “I must now speak about Stein pianos. Before having seen instruments built by the latter, Späth keyboards had my preference, but now I must favor Stein in that they never dampen the sound … I can play the notes as I desire, and the color will always be the same. It doesn’t shade, is neither too strong nor too weak, and vibrates whatever the touch. When he finished building such a piano, he sat and tried all kinds of passages, strokes and intervals, then continued scraping and working until it did what he wanted it to… He guaranteed that the sound box would not break or crack. When he completed the piano’s sound box, he exposed it to air, rain, snow, sun and other demons to make it break, then glued in wooden dutchmen so it resisted and held tight. He was quite happy when it split, as one could then be sure that nothing further would ever happen to it. Often, he even made notches himself that he resealed and consolidated. …” The program on this exceptional SACD is composed of the Concerto for Three Pianos KV. 242, as well as the Concerto for Two Pianos KV. 365 in its original version, but also in a different version orchestrated for clarinets, trumpets, and kettledrums. Ronald Brautigam, Alexeï Lubimov and Manfred Huss, who leads the Haydn Sinfoniette Wien from the piano, form an inspired trio where each player’s heartfelt poetry offers a distinctive light on these often-performed scores. The osmosis is therefore perfect for listening pleasure at each moment, wherein the overall balance becomes a source of admiration. A very great Mozart disc…
Jean-Jacques Millo Translation Lawrence Schulman
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