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Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Piano Concerto No.1 in G minor Op.25 (1831) Piano Concerto No.2 in D minor Op.40 (1837) Andante and Rondo Capriccioso Op.14 (1824) Joyce Hatto (piano) The National Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra/René Köhler Recorded Concerto No.1 and 2 plus Capriccio brillant at St.Marks Church, Croydon 2-3 January 1997 Andante and Rondo Capriccioso Recorded at Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, 14 September 1999  CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9070-2 [57.54]

There is some sparkling pianism here. The First Concerto responds immediately to Hatto’s brio, her dynamic rhythms, sharply but musically etched, and that wonderful tone of hers. The left hand lines subtly animate the opening movement and whilst she drives quite fast, her elasticity is such that she can easily relax; her rubati are never obtrusive. What I also like is her sense of humour, those little pecks she imparts to the line and the way in which she brings Mozartian clarity to her playing. The romantic voicings of the slow movement are most impressive, the shadings and tonal balance entirely at the service of the music whereas when she launches the finale there’s plenty of drama. What’s also there of course, as one has by now learned to expect, is proper balancing between hands, as well as a saucy enjoyment of Mendelssohn’s wit. Frolicsome and lissom, she leads away to the conclusion, the orchestra playing its fine and committed part under René Köhler. Praise also for the Second. She shapes the melodies wonderfully well, plays lightly not portentously, eschewing the falsity of feeling that some pianists are apt to impose on these works and has the digital clarity and the sense of lyricism to play quietly whilst never playing unfeelingly. As ever in the slow movement her tonal weight is sagacious, her sense of direction sure, relaxation of tempi monitored with just propriety. And the finale – in a word, exciting. The "makeweights" prove fine. Of them I particularly nourished the Andante of the Andante and Rondo Capriccioso – such limpid tracery. The notes are full and fine, recorded sound just, though there are occasions when the orchestra sounds a mite recessed, and Joyce Hatto’s playing frequently memorable. Jonathan Woolf MusicWeb can offer the complete Concert Artist catalogue   Advertising Rates Visitor stats MusicWeb International has over 40,000 Classical CD reviews on offer Discs received Having a problem Donating? Gerard Hoffnung Concerts & The Bricklayer Story MusicWeb can now offer you discs from the following catalogues: Prices include postage There will be NO VAT Rises [Acte Préalable £13.50] [Arcodiva £12.00] [Avie from £6.25] [British Music Society £12.00] [CDACCORD from £13.50 ] [ClassicO £12.50] [Hallé from £11] [Heritage £10] [Hortus £14.99 ] [Lyrita ONLY £11.75 ] [Nimbus Special prices] [Northern Flowers £13.50] [REDCLIFFE £11 ] [Sheva £11] [Tactus £11.50 ] [Talent from £12.00 ] [Toccata Classics £10.50 ] Musicweb Special Offers Monthly Best Buys   New Releases New Releases   MusicWeb sells the Polish catalogue CDAccord £10.50 post free W-W MusicWeb sells the Arcodiva catalogue £12.00 post free W-W £11.75 post-free world- wide     Google Ads - for information about privacy matters, click here.  Amazon Musicweb International is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

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