Pfitzner Piano Concerto

[adriano]

 

[chill319]

I have this set. Regarding the Pfitzner concerto, I haven't found a way of listening to its first movement that doesn't leave it sounding episodic, but the three following movements are an easy ride for the ears. Barto shows his considerable pianistic skills to good advantage in the Scherzo and in the Finale's huge fugal cadenza, and, as mentioned above, the poetic beauties of the slow movement are projected with great sensitivity. There's one chromatic passage in the slow movement that I think might sound a tad treacle-y in less expressive hands, but here any such danger is avoided. The Dresdeners do themselves proud, too, with (for example) nary a slip in the immensely difficult horn parts.