Saens / Lortie Piano Concertos CD

Having already mastered such French concertos as Poulenc's on record, the French-Canadian pianist Louis Lortie and Edward Gardner now explore with the BBC Philharmonic the vigorous and progressive world of Camille Saint-Sa?ns, offering the first of two volumes to contain his complete piano concertos. The brilliance, virtuosity, and technical perfection of Louis Lortie's playing encapsulate these unusual, yet exhilarating works. While the spirited, unconventional Concerto No. 1 centers around a slow movement consisting of a dialogue between the sober orchestra and virtuosic piano, the technical requirements of No. 2 are so high that Saint-Sa?ns himself after it's premiere admitted that his fluent technique was not quite up to the challenge. Finally, the unusual form and mixed musical ideas of No. 4 make for a uniquely dramatic, passionate, and dream-like experience.

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 17 2. I. Andante - Allegro Assai 00:11:00 3. II. Andante Sostenuto, Quasi Adagio 00:07:15 4. III. Allegro Con Fuoco 00:06:28 5. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 6. I. Andante Sostenuto 00:10:27 7. II. Allegro Scherzando 00:05:36 8. III. Presto 00:06:27 9. Piano Concerto No. 4 in C minor, Op. 44 10. I. Allegro Moderato - 00:03:47 11. I. Andante 00:07:17 12. II. Allegro Vivace - Andante - 00:06:20 13. II. Allegro 00:06:18