Concertos pour piano

Description

The concertos recorded here were all written between Beethoven’s, to whom they owe a great deal (Czerny was his pupil, and played the piano part at the premiere of the “Emperor”), and the great Romantic concertos that eclipsed them in the favor of music lovers. Thus Czerny’s Concerto in A minor makes use of a reduced orchestra with a few original ideas, such as the use of the horn in the opening bars, while the piano part piles up technical difficulties. Only the beginning of the slow movement, in its simplicity, offers the pianist a respite. Viotti’s style, as a virtuoso violinist, is more Mozartian and more focused on melody. Although Czerny shows more daring writing, Viotti’s works will seem better balanced. The very close recording tends to make the attacks a little aggressive, except in Czerny’s concerto for piano four hands, recorded separately. The work proves more classical, full of good cheer, and the orchestra is in better form there. In many respects, it is close to Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. (Thomas Herreng)