Tchaikovsky, Grieg (2014)

U.S.-based Steinway & Sons label has set itself the task of re-creating the richness of the piano repertory during the instrument's golden age in the early 20th century. This is the label's first orchestral recording, and while there's nothing terribly original about the program, which is as popular now as it was then, the performances continue the label's strong showing. At first it's hard to pin down what makes it so effective. Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear is technically adept but not spectacular, and he doesn't do ... Read More

U.S.-based Steinway & Sons label has set itself the task of re-creating the richness of the piano repertory during the instrument's golden age in the early 20th century. This is the label's first orchestral recording, and while there's nothing terribly original about the program, which is as popular now as it was then, the performances continue the label's strong showing. At first it's hard to pin down what makes it so effective. Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear is technically adept but not spectacular, and he doesn't do anything outwardly different from the hundreds or even thousands of performances of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23, and the Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16. The Czech National Symphony under Stanislav Bogunia is competent but lacks the finesse of the leading German bands or the tortured soul of the Russians. But absorb the contours of the whole, and wonderful things begin to happen. In repertory where, even now, marketing considerations demand the... Read Less