Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 - Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
9/23/2022, 25 Tracks, 1:14:40
Featuring
Sir Simon Rattle
Shura Cherkassky
Norman del Mar
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Camille Saint-Saëns
Franz Liszt
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Frédéric Chopin
Did you know?
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Compositional Technique
The Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 was wittily described by Zygmunt Stojowski, a Polish pianist and composer, as 'the Concerto that goes from Bach to Offenbach' due to its varied musical styles.
Performer Biography
Cherkassky, the pianist, enjoyed keeping conductors 'on their toes' by playing slowly in rehearsals but fast in performances, which sometimes led to conductors refusing to work with him again.
Composition History
Franz Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 was composed over a period of 26 years, finally being completed in 1849.
Composition History
Camille Saint-Saëns, the composer of the Piano Concerto No. 2, wrote the entire work in just three weeks in 1868 and performed it himself immediately after its completion.
Recording & Production
This album features 'live' performances, which was significant because Cherkassky, the pianist, was a reluctant visitor to recording studios, preferring the 'electrical charge' of a live audience.
Performer Biography
Shura Cherkassky, the pianist on this album, was known for his unique and uncategorizable style, defying expectations despite belonging to a romantic tradition of pianists.
Interpretation
Cherkassky, the pianist, was known for his freedom and caprice in performance, sometimes flouting a composer's tempo and dynamics, which could lead to strong reactions from audiences.
