Yundi Li - Liszt & Chopin: Piano Concertos No. 1 (2006)
Artist: Yundi Li, Philharmonia Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis
Title: Liszt & Chopin: Piano Concertos No. 1
Year Of Release: 2006
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Genre: Classical
Quality: FLAC (image + .cue, log, artwork)
Total Time: 56:26 min
Total Size: 215 MB
WebSite: Album Preview
Tracklist:Title: Liszt & Chopin: Piano Concertos No. 1
Year Of Release: 2006
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Genre: Classical
Quality: FLAC (image + .cue, log, artwork)
Total Time: 56:26 min
Total Size: 215 MB
WebSite: Album Preview
Franz Liszt (1810-1886)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E flat major, S. 124
01. I. Allegro maestoso
02. II. Quasi adagio
03. III. Allegretto vivace - Allegro animato
04. IV. Allegro marziale animato - Presto
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
05. I. Allegro maestoso
06. II. Romanze. Larghetto
07. III. Rondo. Vivace
To give Yundi Li his due in this coupling of Liszt and Chopin's first piano concertos, the young Chinese pianist does have a first-rate technique fully able to handle anything that either work throws at him. But while being able to play the notes counts for a lot in Liszt and Chopin, being able to play the music counts for even more. So while one is constantly amazed by the strength and control of Li's playing -- double or triple trills, thirty-second or sixty-fourth note runs, 9- or 10-note chords, double octaves, or even double octaves in contrary motion, whatever it is, Li can do it with both hands figuratively tied behind his back -- one is constantly astounded by his seeming lack of understanding of the music. The heroic panache and sensual beauty of Liszt and the emotional intensity and lyric ecstasy of Chopin are entirely missing from his interpretations; indeed, so entirely missing that it is difficult to talk about interpretations at all. Rather, it feels like one ought to be checking off Li's performance against the score and grading him as one would a gymnast or a figure skater. And while this is meant as no slight against those deeply talented and highly trained athletes, there is an aesthetic difference between a double axel and a double octave. DG's digital sound is clattery, rattley, and altogether too close for comfort. -- James Leonard