Mozart Piano Concertos, K.453 and K.491 |
Available on CD and digital download |
![]() Orli Shaham piano David Robertson conductor Orli Shaham revels in the theatrical richness and breath taking invention of Mozart's Piano Concertos joining forces with David Robertson and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for this studio recording of No.17 in G Major, K.453 and No. 24 in C minor, K.491.
'Just about everything in this husband-and-wife Mozart concerto collaboration is ideal… the microphone placement captures Orli Shaham’s beautifully regulated Steinway and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in perfect balance ... and more importantly, the chamber-like sonic perspective extends to the music making … Like Casadesus, Shaham favors Saint-Säens’ flashy yet effective cadenza for the C minor K. 491’s first movement, but plays it with more authority and force ...The booklet contains an extensive discussion with Shaham, Robertson, and scholar Elaine Sisman that delves into fascinating performance-related issues and historical perspectives. Strongly recommended.’ ClassicsToday Read more...'Shaham's performances of both concertos are thoughtful and polished, the pianist adding a degree of warmth to her interpretations that sets them apart.' Classical Candor Read more...What is striking about the Orli Shaham/David Robertson collaboration, is how well it communicates feelings and expressions that seem "Mozartean" even though there is nothing historically accurate about the recording at all. The orchestra is too large for Mozart's time, the piano far too big and resonant, the cadenzas not at all in Mozart's style (especially in the first movement of Concerto No. 24), and Shaham's playing is far too focused on the emotionally expressive passages... the recording is absolutely first-rate. Shaham and Robertson clearly have deep feelings for Mozart that they know how to translate into feelings to be shared with an at-home audience. It is extraordinarily difficult to listen to this recording without giving it full attention... Shaham and Robertson connect with tremendous skill in performances that are fully and beautifully integrated from start to finish.' Mark Estren transcentury/Infodad.com INFODAD Read more...Classic FM UK Album of the Week 08/19/2019 'American pianist Orli Shaham takes on Mozart’s showy No. 17 and 24 concertos...this is the first studio recording released in over 15 years by the (St. Louis Symphony) Orchestra – we think this gem makes it very much worth the wait … and a very worthy Classic FM Album of the Week.’ Classic FM Read more...Embracing the light and dark of Mozart’s Piano Concertos, ...enchants with tempos that mould appreciably this expressive music, giving it time and richness of sound (superbly recorded…). Orli Shaham (sister of Gil) and David Robertson are at-one interpretatively... and the SLS members are stylish and sympathetic confreres. The opening of K453, while poised, is also infectious in its spirit, delightfully detailed… K491… the orchestral introduction finds emotional urgency, Shaham speaks of isolation in her initial appearance; thus an admirable tension is produced, theatre and Innigkeit intertwined, the aural equivalent of a page-turner. The first-movement cadenza is by Saint-Saëns…in the booklet, you will find there an extensive three-way conversation between pianist, conductor and Elaine Sisman – the latter a “bona fide academic authority on Mozart’s music ... [and who] thinks Mozart is really cool...”. He is when performed like this.
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