BaL 15.11.25 - Bartok: Piano concerto 2

[richardfinegold]

I discovered Kocsis/Fisher on my shelves and played through the entire disc (PC 1-3) twice. I don’t know if it’s “the winner” but it would be hard to imagine improving upon it

[Maclintick]

I discovered Kocsis/Fisher on my shelves and played through the entire disc (PC 1-3) twice. I don’t know if it’s “the winner” but it would be hard to imagine improving upon it

Agree heartily. Obviously I'm not going to consign Anda/Fricsay to the charity shop, but the level of artistry on display from Kocsis and BFO under Fischer is breathtaking. Others on my shelves include Ashkenazy/LPO/Solti -- exciting in the outer movements but VA strangely robotic in the adagio -- Bavouzet/BBCPhil/Noseda -- overall a bit tame. Many moons ago I possessed Entremont/NYPO/Bernstein on LP & recall that their collaboration had considerable pizazz. Tempted to investigate Schiff & Pollini, or Bronfman who would certainly possess the requisite pianistic chops. Thanks to Pulcinella for posting the youtube link to Ogdon/BBCSO/Boulez live in 1967. My first reaction to it was "Is there an orchestra somewhere in there ?"

[CallMePaul]

According to Presto, Bavouzet/ Noseda has twice been a BAL recommendation but it is not clear to which of the 3 concerti this relates. Anyway, I have Andsnes/ Boulez in the Boulez Bartók box and am not currently planning to add to this. Whether hearing this BAL will change my mind remains to be seen.

[Pulcinella]

According to Presto, Bavouzet/ Noseda ha stwice beena BAL recommendation but it is not clear to which of the 3 concerti this relates. Anyway, I have Andsnes/ Boulez in the Boulez Bartók box and am not currently planning to add to this. Whether hearing this BAL will change my mind remains to be seen.

Indeed; I do wish they'd find a way to say which work the award was attributed to.

[Darloboy]

Previous BaL recommendations:

David Fanning (Feb 1992): Pollini/Abbado + Anda/Fricsay as mid-price recommendation

Harriet Smith (Nov 15): Bavouzet/Noseda

Another work that was done only 10 years ago. And given that Bavouzet/Noseda was also 1st choice for Concerto No. 3 in 2020, most listeners probably won't need another recording.

[Pulcinella]

Indeed; I do wish they'd find a way to say which work the award was attributed to.

I have sometimes used the date they give to try to find out what the programme/work was.

[gurnemanz]

I have sometimes used the date they give to try to find out what the programme/work was.

Or search the very useful Excel spreadsheet of BaLs going back to 1999 - downloadable here: https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio3/b...9-2024_V2.xlsx

Discussed on this recent thread: https://www.for3.org/forums/forum/cl...ists-from-bals

[Pulcinella]

Or search the very useful Excel spreadsheet of BaLs going back to 1999 - downloadable here: https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio3/b...9-2024_V2.xlsx

Discussed on this recent thread: https://www.for3.org/forums/forum/cl...ists-from-bals

Yes, I spotted that!
I must experiment and see if you can order the columns by composer rather than date, which I think is what it is at present.

PS: Yes: Sort by Composer then Piece!
Saved as a useful document in my BaL folder.

[richardfinegold]

Agree heartily. Obviously I'm not going to consign Anda/Fricsay to the charity shop, but the level of artistry on display from Kocsis and BFO under Fischer is breathtaking. Others on my shelves include Ashkenazy/LPO/Solti -- exciting in the outer movements but VA strangely robotic in the adagio --

VA is robotic in the slow movement. He also seems to miss the changes in dynamics that others make-Pollini particularly good here.

[Pulcinella]

Website finally updated (I'll add this to the original post, too).

3pm
Building a Library. Pianist Joanna MacGregor assesses recordings of Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 2 and makes a top recommendation.
Composed in 1930-31, Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 2 is one of the most notoriously difficult pieces for piano and orchestra. Responding to criticism that his first piano concerto had been too hard for pianists and audiences alike, Bartok attempted to simplify his musical style in his second concerto. But the virtuosity demanded of the soloist in the second is very high. Fellow Hungarian András Schiff has said that, 'For the piano player, it's a finger-breaking piece ... probably the single most difficult piece that I have ever played, and I usually end up with a keyboard covered by blood.'

[makropulos]

Website finally updated (I'll add this to the original post, too).

3pm
Building a Library. Pianist Joanna MacGregor assesses recordings of Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 2 and makes a top recommendation.

I'm going to be really interested to hear what Joanna McG has to say about this – it should be fascinating.

[Barbirollians]

Heavens I don't think Gilels recorded it !

I see there is a 1969 Richter version - that one is new to me .

[silvestrione]

Heavens I don't think Gilels recorded it !

I see there is a 1969 Richter version - that one is new to me .

With the Orchestre de Paris and Lorin Maazel. A rare studio recording from Richter. I learnt the work from this recording, and still my favourite.

[Pulcinella]

A very insightful BaL I thought, with decent interaction between the two Macs.

And a classic winner, despite mention of improvements in recording techniques, balance, etc.

Anda/Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Fricsay

[Ein Heldenleben]

I heard Sunwook Kim play this live with the BSO a couple of years back. It’s probably the most staggering feat of virtuosity I’ve ever witnessed. I heard later he spent 6 weeks learning it.