Title - 'Mendelssohn'
Artist - Jan Lisiecki / Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
For those not in the know, Jan Lisiecki (born March 23, 1995) is a Canadian classical pianist of Polish descent.
In addition to performing in live concerts, he has been a recording artist with Deutsche Grammophon since 2010.
Following up his Chopin: Works for Piano and Orchestra (2017), the young pianist now explores a pair of early Romantic masterpieces with the acclaimed Orpheus Chamber Orchestra: Mendelssohn's Piano Concertos in G minor and D minor.
1-3 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.1 in G minor op. 25
4-21 17 Variations sérieuses in D minor op. 54
22-24 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.2 in D minor op. 40
25-26 Rondo capriccioso in E major op. 14
27 Songs Without Words in G minor "Venetian Gondola Song" op. 19b/6
At 23, pianist Jan Lisiecki is already recognized as one of the greatest pianists of our time and here on the wondrous Mendelssohn he also gives listeners further insight into Mendelssohn's dazzling keyboard writing beyond the well-known concertos.
For Lisiecki, along with the splendid Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, also performs a selection of some of Mendelssohn's most brilliant pieces for solo piano: the Variations Sérieuses, the Rondo capriccioso, and the Venetian Boat Song from Songs Without Words.
Personally, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but I love the way Lisiecki plays. I also have his Chopin Etude recording and while I don't always completely agree with his interpretation of some of them, overall it is a wonderful recording.
Lisecki is a master of his chosen profession already, for sure, almost to the point of amazing the listener that his performances can be so mature by someone so young.
His work here on Mendelssohn is just so touchingly, so beautifully played, full of hope and promise for a magnificent future.
Amazon Purchase Link
www.JanLisiecki.com
www.DeutscheGrammophon.com