Beethoven: Andante Favori in F, Wo057

Praised by The New York Times for her ‘clear articulation … unequivocal phrasing … [and] expressivity’, Ingrid Jacoby has established herself as one of the most poetic and admired pianists of her generation. She began her piano studies with Larisa Gorodecka, herself a pupil of Heinrich Neuhaus. Graduating at sixteen with highest honours from the St Louis Conservatory of Music, Ingrid Jacoby went on to win the National Baldwin Piano Competition, the Concert Artists Guild International Piano Competition and the Steinway Hall Artists Prize.

In America, the National Society of Arts and Letters awarded to her (in 1994) one of its highest distinctions, the Lifetime Achievement Award. Her discography includes the world premiere recording of Korngold’s solo piano pieces, works by Gershwin and Bernstein, and a recording of the Shostakovich and Ustvolskaya piano concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, which earned the highest commendation from the American Record Guide.

This is Volume 2 of Ingrid Jacoby’s complete set of Beethoven Piano Concertos.

The first CD of Beethoven Concertos 2 & 4 has received wonderful reviews: ‘Jacoby revitalises Beethoven’s Piano Concertos … terrifically and with so much intelligence and energy that all leading competitors pale by comparison.’ (Crescendo magazine, Germany), and ‘Here is a performance of Beethoven that is well-nigh flawless in every regard.’ (International Record Review, UK). This strongly projected performance of Beethoven’s Concerto No.5 is complemented by an all-Beethoven recital which Ingrid Jacoby recorded in 1991–2, featuring sets of variations, the Andante favori and the op.119 Bagatelles. The producer was Tony Faulkner.

The booklet contains notes by Richard Wigmore in addition to personal insights by Ingrid Jacoby on Beethoven interpretation.

The final volume in the series, featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concertos 1 & 3, will be released in the autumn this year.

From the mid 1970’s until his death, Cuban born Jorge Bolet emerged as one of the world’s truly great pianists and one of the last representatives, along with the likes of Cherkassky, Horowitz and Earl Wild, of the great Romantic tradition of pianism. His pedigree was marvellous - a student of Godowsky-disciple David Saperton at the Curtis Institute, there he was also able to play for Godowsky himself and Josef Hofmann. He won the Naumburg competition in 1937 and looked set for a great career, but the war interrupted the flow of things and he struggled through the 1950s & 60s, mainly playing in the USA and not quite making the international ‘big-time’. His big break came with an RCA contract and the release on LP of a stunning live Carnegie Hall concert in 1974. Shortly after, he was signed to Decca and went on to make many award winning discs. But what of the early years? There’s not much, but here, for the first time on CD, we have the four LPs he made in the 1950s. His very first disc was of Latin-American repertoire that he was never to record again. Here also is the first ever recording of Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto in a performance that is still up there with the best.

These almost unknown discs are sure to fascinate, and fill an important gap in the mystery of Bolet’s early career.

Alejandro Picó-Leonís was born in Alicante and began playing the piano at the age of seven, studying with Alicia de Larrocha and Claudio Arrau. He made his concerto debut in 1996 with the Albéniz Chamber Orchestra and in 2002 made his Carnegie Hall debut and was acclaimed for his “stylistic knowledge full of multiple colors and beautiful sound.” El Diario New York

Played on a period instrument.

The French label Paraty has the pleasure to announce the debut CD release of Fortepianist Natalie Valentin. The instrument used in this recording was built in Germany in the late 18th century and has been restored by Christopher Clarke, a renowned specialist in period instruments. This release is already receiving praise from the critics:-

‘She can make the instrument really sing’ Early Music Review

‘A fine restored fortepiano….thrust and sparkle to the sound’ Gramophone

Following the success of her previous Deutsche Grammophon recordings (4778095, 4778362, 4778779), Alice Sara Ott embraces two milestones of piano literature: Beethoven’s Sonatas in C major, summarizing different phases of the composer’s life. Sonata op. 2 no. 3, written in his mid-twenties, is ripe with youthful spirit, wit, and force. The “Waldstein” op. 53 was composed in his thirties when Beethoven was struggling with impending deafness. Additionally, Alice Sara Ott selected the fierce Rondo “Rage over a Lost Penny” dating from Sonata op. 2’s time, and the beautiful Andante favori, originally written as the Waldstein’s slow movement.

Gerard Willems is one of Australia;s finest concert pianists and Beethoven scholars. He has recorded all the Beethoven sonatas and concertos and has chosen to record the Diabelli on the Australian designed and built Stuart and Sons piano. This instrument features an extra 2 octaves, producing an enhanced resonance and unrivalled sound.