Olli Mustonen, Tapiola Sinfonietta – Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-2 (2007) [SACD / Ondine – ODE 1099-5]

Title: Olli Mustonen, Tapiola Sinfonietta – Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-2 (2007)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Olli Mustonen performs and conducts Beethoven’s Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 with the Tapiola Sinfonietta in this first of three volumes. Mustonen, also a composer, offers a fresh, quirky interpretation, using his own cadenzas in the First Concerto. The Tapiola Sinfonietta, a long-time collaborator, supports Mustonen’s visionary approach. Mustonen’s performance emphasizes stark contrasts between the piano and orchestra, with the orchestra playing plainly. His piano entries introduce unorthodox accents, particularly in the finales, with the Second Concerto’s finale featuring bold syncopated emphases. The First Concerto’s opening movement shifts from martial to playful under Mustonen’s direction. The slow movements, free of edginess, are richly performed and recorded. Ondine’s Super Audio sound provides exceptional transparency, highlighting inner orchestral lines. This recording may puzzle traditionalists but intrigues seasoned listeners. It’s not ideal as a first introduction to Beethoven’s concertos but captivates with its originality.

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Tracklist:

01. Piano Concerto No.1 in C Major, Op.15: I. Allegro con brio
02. Piano Concerto No.1 in C Major, Op.15: II. Largo
03. Piano Concerto No.1 in C Major, Op.15: III. Rondo
04. Piano Concerto No.2 in B-Flat Major, Op.19: I. Allegro con brio
05. Piano Concerto No.2 in B-Flat Major, Op.19: II. Adagio
06. Piano Concerto No.2 in B-Flat Major, Op.19: III. Rondo

Personnel:

Tapiola Sinfonietta
Olli Mustonen – piano, Conductor

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