Piano Concertos 3, 4 & 11

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JOSEF HAYDN
Piano Concertos 3, 4 & 11
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano) / Manchester Camerata, Gábor Takács-Nagy

[ Chandos / CD ]

Release Date: Wednesday 20 August 2014

This item is currently out of stock. It may take 6 or more weeks to obtain from when you place your order as this is a specialist product.

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is recognised today as one of the world's finest interpreters of Haydn's piano works, International Piano having described him as 'Haydn's greatest contemporary keyboard exponent.' In the first five volumes of his ongoing series devoted to Haydn's sonatas he has been applauded for his intelligent musicianship, crisp technique, and sheer sense of joy in the music. In this concerto recording he performs in partnership with the conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy, the two united by an admiration for Haydn's infectious good humour and art of the unexpected.

Of the twelve keyboard concertos carrying Haydn's name, the third, fourth, and eleventh, recorded here, are the best known. The publication history of the rest casts doubt on their authenticity; many imitations were attributed to Haydn by publishers wanting to cash in on his wild popularity in Europe during his life.

The concertos in F and G major are early works, in an early style, simply constructed with graceful and clear keyboard writing. One finds plenty of Haydnesque charm and spirit in these scores, both of which also feature specially touching slow movements. By contrast, the Concerto in D major is a work of the composer's maturity, full of strikingly dramatic contrasts and characteristic wit. The infectious Hungarian Rondo finale brings the concerto to a rousing conclusion and surely accounts for much of its enduring popularity.

"performances that demonstrate his innate love and understanding of this music in performances of the expected vivacity and insight." Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine, September 2014

"Bavouzet's new readings on a bright-toned Yamaha concert grand are unfailingly crisp and vivacious, if with idiosyncrasies...his rapport with Gabor Takacs-Nagy and the sensitised strings of the excellent Manchester Camerata is complete." (BBC Music)

Tracks:

Keyboard Concerto No. 3 in F major with French horns and strings, Hob.XVIII:3
Keyboard Concerto No. 4 in G major, Hob.XVIII:4
Keyboard Concerto No. 11 in D major, HobXVIII:11