Nobuyuki Tsuji’s newest collaboration with Domingo Hindoyan and the Liverpool Philharmonic pairs Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto (a work the pianist has performed for almost a decade) and Mikhail Pletnev’s transcription of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. A few shorter works, including Rachmaninoff’s Lilacs and a transcription of the Vocalise, round out this ambitious program.
In the liner notes, Tsujii reminisces upon a visit to Rachmaninoff’s home in Lucerne after which he remarked that he perceived the composer, despite his towering stature, as a gentle person. The performance of the concerto very much reflects this touching insight: while the interpretation doesn’t have the verve of Yuja Wang’s live performance with Gustavo Dudamel/LA Philharmonic (review) or the incendiary urgency of the Argerich/Chailly reading (1982), there is a soulfulness I’ve not heard elsewhere. The rounded mellowness of Tsuji’s tone quality shines especially in the solemn opening theme of the Allegro ma non tanto (track 12) or the gently rendered second theme (4’00”), which also exhibits gorgeous color changes in accordance with the rich harmonies. The playing, tough, doesn’t lack energy where the musical calls for it: the vivacious passages (5’40”, for example) flutter with clarity.
I always hope that a performance of this concerto includes the bigger of the two cadenzas in the first movement, and Tsujii delivers. This is one particular section where power is essential, especially in the climactic rendering of the opening theme. For me, there isn’t quite enough ‘oomph’ that makes the cadenza entirely convincing. Leif Ove Andnes’ version with Antonio Pappano (Warner) proves more satisfying in terms of its cataclysmic character.
The middle movement (track 13) reflects some of Rachmaninoff’s finest, most emotive writing, and is where the soloist really seems to be at the heart of the music. From the thunderous octaves of the piano’s entrance, he leans into the luscious writing and the warmth of the central tonality. One of the most effective moments comes around 5’27”: in the ensuing section, Tsujii brings out a desperation that embodies the passion so important to the movement. Meanwhile, Hindoyan and the Liverpool players do some fine work in pacing and phrasing to uphold the long melodies. In the Finale (track 14) Tsujii approaches the music thoughtfully and not simply for the sake of showmanship: even in the most scintillating passage, there is always the element of finesse and elegance.
Tsujii again gives a polished, highly enjoyable rendition of the Nutcracker Suite; His ability to capture the spirit of each movement is impressive, as is his ability to transform the piano itself into different instruments. The crisp chords of the March (track 1) are highly reminiscent of the brass in the orchestral version, and in the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (track 2), the pianist creates an uncanny resemblance of tone to the celesta. The Trepak (track 5) exudes pure jubilation, the Chinese Dance (track 6) an inviting playfulness, but the final Andante Maestoso is by far the most captivating. The accompanimental
figures are flawlessly fluid and silky, creating a most soothing ebb and flow.
Nobuyuki Tsujii (image: © Harald Hoffmann)
As for the smaller works, Lilacs stands out for its combination of vibrancy and contemplativeness. Tsujii uses different registers of the piano — the resonant bass for depth, the middle for the mellifluous melody, and the high notes for delicate transparency — to create a beautiful tapestry of sound. His reading is quite different from the composer’s own (which is a bit faster), but both are equally valid.
The only minor gripe is the engineering in the concerto: there were times when the mic feels too closely placed to the piano, and the contrabasses too boomy. A small hitch, however, in an otherwise wonderfully curated and executed program.
Recommended Comparisons
Wang | Ashkenazy | Andsnes | Rachmaninoff
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Album Details |
|
|---|---|
| Album name | Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky |
| Label | Deutsche Grammophon |
| Catalogue No. | 4868065 |
| Artists | Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano), The Liverpool Philharmonic, Domingo Hindoyan (conductor) |
