Alfred Brendel - Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 20 & 24 (1999)

The Austrian piano legend Alfred Brendel has established himself for a long time as an accomplished interpreter of the Classical Viennese repertory. During his fabulous performing career (spanning more than 60 years), both in live appearances at top-notch international musical venues and in recording sessions (for Philips-Decca labels whose exclusive artist he's been since 1970s), Brendel was constantly returning to his favourite Mozart piano concertos with an always renewed inspiration and robust musical wisdom.

After having recorded in his early forties the complete works for piano and orchestra by Mozart (under Sir Neville Marriner leading the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields) - a version that actually made date by setting very high standards in the XXth century performing style - Alfred Brendel, this time in his late sixties, considered that a proper time had arrived to embark for a new Mozartean concertante account. So, he teamed up the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and his old friend Sir Charles Mackerras to release a new series of 8 Mozart concertos in four CDs recorded between 1998 and 2002. Of course, technical conditions of making recordings have significantly improved meanwhile, so his option could have been regarded as having outer motivations: strictly technical ones. But the real reason of this late approach seems to stem in the fact that Brendel's mellow artistry calls for a fresh look on these everlasting masterpieces, for their re-thinking in terms of an exquisite mature artistry after decades of playing them and meditating on their truths. That long-life musical experience copiously entitled him for such a proceeding and settled the stage for a wonderful achievement. (At about same age Brendel also recorded an delightful series of other 4 CDs comprising a vast amount of Mozart piano sonatas.)

However, it is Brendel's serene and crystal-clear conception that shines throughout and makes the main attraction of these new releases. His unmatched insight and infectious fondness of playing turn this legacy-series into a superb sample of musical honesty. It probes an unconditional devotement by a contemporary leading artist to a genius in the history of music and at the same time offers a consistent source of joy to all Brendel aficionados. The balance between playfulness and thoughtfulness is magically realized. The improvisational vein and deep feelings, the classical poise, the seductive wit and the noble melancholy - all are there in Brendel's rendition drawing that long invoked image of Mozart, the genius "smiling through tears". Brendel reached that ineffable level of music-making where any comment on his fabulous technical and musical skills falls in superfluous. No stupefying speed, no hail on keyboard, no outrageous fortissimos, but subtleties, crystal-clear finger-work and a refined poised touch instead. But such applied analyses and dissection of means are suitable for great pianists. For Great Musicians as Brendel the discussion goes far beyond such details, since his account seems to me to unveil a conversation with one of the Gods of Music on equal footing.

Useless to be added that this CD is a must for all music lovers!