For pianists to conduct concertos from the keyboard is not uncommon, but for a conductor to be hired on that basis is more unusual. Thus a certain interest attends this recording by Lars Vogt, with the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, where he has become permanent conductor. The early indications are very, very good. Vogt sculpts distinctive readings of Mendelssohn's two piano concertos. These works have never been considered to be at the pinnacle of the 19th century concerto repertory, but in Vogt's hands, they make a strong ...
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For pianists to conduct concertos from the keyboard is not uncommon, but for a conductor to be hired on that basis is more unusual. Thus a certain interest attends this recording by Lars Vogt, with the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, where he has become permanent conductor. The early indications are very, very good. Vogt sculpts distinctive readings of Mendelssohn's two piano concertos. These works have never been considered to be at the pinnacle of the 19th century concerto repertory, but in Vogt's hands, they make a strong bid for a climb to that point. The Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25, is especially good. Vogt takes it at a quick clip with very high energy in the outer movements, seemingly urging the orchestra along and then racing ahead. He even sacrifices some of the usual calm in the first movement's second subject, leaving real repose to the slow movement. The two slow movements show him fully capable of lyricism; he says he considers them piano-and-orchestra "Songs Without Words" and...
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Add this copy of Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos [Lars Vogt; Orchestre De to cart. $36.24, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2022 by Ondine.