Tag: Tapiola Sinfonietta

Title: Olli Mustonen, Tapiola Sinfonietta – Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 4-5 (2009)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Olli Mustonen completes his Beethoven Piano Concerto cycle with Concertos Nos. 4 and 5, performing as both pianist and conductor. He collaborates with the Tapiola Sinfonietta, with whom he has toured Europe to acclaim. Mustonen’s visionary approach is witty yet focused on revealing inner musical structures. His variable tempos and ritardandi highlight chords and cadential passages, giving them new significance. In Concerto No. 4, the opening piano solo is bright and playful, sharply contrasting the orchestral sections. This separation of solo and orchestra is less effective in the grander Concerto No. 5, where dramatic scale feels diluted. Mustonen draws on historical-performance insights while using a modern piano, conducting the crisp 40-member Tapiola Sinfonietta. His lively, distinct solo sections may polarize listeners as either revelatory or mannered. Ondine’s top-notch sound and multilingual booklet enhance the release. Listeners will find Mustonen’s performances engaging, never dull, and highly individual.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

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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.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

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