MusicWeb International One of the most grown-up review sites around 2024
60,000 reviews
... and still writing ...

Search MusicWeb Here Acte Prealable Polish CDs
 

Presto Music CD retailer
 
Founder: Len Mullenger                                    Editor in Chief:John Quinn             

 

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Piano Works: Three Caprices, Op. 33 (1833-35) [25'13]. Fantasies, Op. 16 (1829) [7'54] - No. 2 in E minor, Scherzo; No. 3 in E, Andante. Variations in E flat, Op. 82 (1847) [8'29]. Piano Sonata in G minor, Op. 105 (1821) [18'53]
Pierre Laconte (piano).
Rec Eglise Notre-Dame du Liban, Paris in 1981.
PAVANE ADW7243 [61'28]
CD available for post-free online mail-order or you may download individual tracks. For some labels you can download the entire CD with a single click and make HUGE savings. The price you see is the price you pay! The full booklet notes are available on-line.

NOTE • Click on the button and you can buy the disc or read the booklet details • You can also access each track which you may then sample or down load. • Further Information.


 

Pierre Laconte's eminently approachable Mendelssohn disc represents a sensitive reaction to the free-flow of this composer's ever-fertile imagination. It would appear that Laconte has an affinity for the fleeting lightness of Mendelssohn's quixotic thought (by the same token, it is difficult to imagine him in heavier Austro-Germanic repertoire).

If Laconte has one basic fault, it is a propensity to under-pedal. Clarity of texture and avoidance of washes of sound are all very well (and sometimes completely appropriate: try the third Caprice, Op. 33 No. 3 ), but Mendelssohn is explicitly not a one-sided composer.

The three Caprices of 1833-35 which open the disc exemplify much of Leconte's strengths and weaknesses. When Leconte livens up in the middle section of Op. 33 No. 2, he alerts the listener to the possibilities his playing has to offer. If the Scherzo in E minor, Op. 16 No. 2, with its evocations of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' would have been more appealing if played straighter and lighter, full marks go to Leconte for including the Andante and Variations, Op. 82 instead of the more famous 'Variations sérieuses', Op. 54. Op. 82 is a deftly composed set which repays repeated listening: interestingly enough also, they bring out the best in Leconte.

Ending the recital with the G minor Sonata, Op. 105 was a wise move. This is a piece which also deserves more frequent airing. That said, despite a charming first movement , Leconte does not quite accord Op. 105 the stature it deserves: the central Andante meanders rather, and scales could sparkle more in the finale.

All in all, this is a carefully-prepared recital and remains an enjoyable way to spend an hour.
Colin Clarke




CD Price: £ 12.50 Post-free Air Mail World-wide
- Download Price:
£ 8.50
Buy CD:
Download all tracks:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE SOUND SAMPLES
(minimum 30 secs)

3 Caprices op. 33
no. 1 Adagio and Presto in A Minor
no. 2 Allegro grazioso in E Major
no. 3 Adagio and Pesto con fuoco in B flat Minor

Andante op. 16 no. 3 in E Major

Scherzo op. 16 no. 2 in E Minor

Andante and variations op. 82 in E flat Major

Sonata op. 105 in G Minor
Allegro
Adagio
Presto





You require QuickTime to listed to samples.

Get a free QuickTime download here



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • You can sample only 30 seconds (or 15% if that is longer) of a given track. Select from the View tracks list. Each sample will normally start from the beginning but you can drag the slider to any position before pressing play. • PLEASE NOTE: If you are behind a firewall and the sound is prematurely terminated you may need to register Ludwig as a trusted source with your firewall software. •You will need Quicktime to hear sound samples. Get a free Quicktime download here • If you cannot see the "Sample All Tracks" button you need to download Flash from here.

Return to Index

Error processing SSI file