Grieg: Lyric Pieces (selection)

“The 21-year old Andsnes stripped these concertos of superfluous glitter. But although these performances exude poetic freshness they are at times too reserved. His later Grieg with Jansons is preferable. The Lyric Pieces are characterful.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2007 ****

“Gilels's anthology of 20 of the Lyric Pieces… is in a class of its own and an absolute must! Whatever else you get for your library, you have to have this - it sets standards which few others have approached.” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2007

“Here, surely, is a classic recording, one of calibre and status for all time.
Rarely can a great artist have declared his love with such touching candour. By his own admission Gilels discovered in Grieg's Lyric Pieces a 'whole world of intimate feeling' and at the sessions where these were recorded fought tirelessly to capture their intricate mix of innocence and experience. The results are of an unblemished purity, grace and contained eloquence. He brings the same insight and concentration to these apparent trifles as he did to towering masterpieces of the classic repertoire.
The programme proceeds chronologically and one can appreciate the gradual but marked development in Grieg's harmonic and expressive language – from the folk song inspired early works to the more progressive and adventurous later ones. Gilels's fingerwork is exquisite and the sense of total involvement with the music almost religious in feeling.
Never can Debussy's sniping estimate of Grieg', 'a pink bonbon filled with snow' (or DG's dreary accompanying notes), have seemed wider of the mark. The recordings remain as impeccable as the playing. This is a disc for everyone's desert island.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“An unmissable selection of Grieg's delightful Lyric Pieces...With Gilels we are in the presence of a great keyboard master whose characterisation and control of colour and articulation are wholly remarkable.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition

“Andsnes penetrates the psyche of this music, and his playing of consummate artistry and insight. Not only does he have keen poetic feeling but magisterial pianistic finesse.” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2007

“Once again on home ground, Andsnes reminds you of his capacity to go directly to the heart of the matter. Taking you on a journey of increasing subtlety and introspection, he makes you aware that so much of this music is for those long winter nights. At the same time the music is so richly varied: 'Melody's insistent dactylic rhythm creates a strange unsettling poetic ambience, while the central oasis of calm in 'Wedding Day at Troldhaugen' would surely melt a heart of stone.
All Andsnes's performances have that deceptive simplicity which is his touchstone. His playing is always sensitive, never sentimental and with a bracing and essential 'touch of the codfish' (Grieg) when required. And while one would never want to be without Gilels' rapt DG performances (see below), praise could hardly be too high for a pianist who so enviably captures the poignant nature of a composer who Tchaikovsky once claimed had 'a glance like a charming and candid child'. Grieg's piano, with its distinctive timbre, provides an added touch of nostalgia.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“With his almost Mozartian conception of the Converto, and his fabulously crystal-clear articulation in the Lyric Pieces, Katsaris manages to make these well-worn favourites sound really fresh and spontaneous.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2008 ****

“Beginning with a (live) spirited, fresh account of the Concerto – the slow movement is spellbinding – Katsaris follows this with 'Morgernstimmung' from the first Peer Gynt Suite. Although many of us will have the piano score, few will recall it being played in concert, a further example of this pianist’s omnivorous appetite for the unconventional and willingness to step outside the normal keyboard repertoire.” Gramophone Magazine, April 2008