Pianist Andreas Haefliger’s latest release on the BIS label champions a new contemporary Concerto by Dieter Ammann. He couples this with the more famous Concerto for the Left-Hand by Ravel and Bartok’s Third Piano Concerto. This trio of unconventional pieces makes intriguing listening.
Ammann’s Concerto (“Gran Toccata”), written for Haefliger, was premiered in 2019. It is an approachable piece, with complex, intriguing and contrasting textures, which organically change and evolve. The harmonic language is contemporary, with moments of tonality. Lasting approximately 30 minutes and in one continuous movement, it brims with nervous energy and sparkling pyrotechnics of sound. It has parallels with the jazz-influenced Ravel and the folk-inspired Bartók concertos — but more so it bellies influences of many other composers, including Stravinsky, Messiaen, Philip Glass and John Adams.
Haefliger’s performance is impressive. The Herculean drive in the fast-moving sections is tireless, effortless and relentless, revealing his almost superhuman stamina. The range of pianistic color and sound is as varied as the textures. From the hard, crisp attack in the right hand — which is sufficiently rounded not to jar, to the stabbing staccato chords, and the sonorous left-hand coming from the depths of the piano’s registers – Haefliger’s tone is consistently strong.
The slightly more reserved parts provide the necessary punctuation, allowing the music to breathe. Haefliger is completely comfortable with the more jazz-inspired moments, carrying them off with complete and utter conviction. The Helsinki Philharmonic are outstanding in their technical assurance, and in bringing this complex score so readily to life. The mosaic of textures and orchestrations are handled sensitively by Mälkki.
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In the Ravel Concerto for the Left Hand, Mälkki is noticeably different from Boulez (for Krystian Zimmerman), Dutoit (for Jean-Yves Thibaudet) and Tortlier (for Jean-Efflam Bavouzet), her approach to the strings texture much more transparent. Indeed, at certain points I felt the interchange between sections a bit too literal, as in the difficult diminuendo on track 6, 1’00”. Haefliger is expressive, articulate and technically assured, making many of the lower register bars sound less bombastic than usual. The pianist does blurs the quiet appearance of the theme (track 5, 2’50”), in what sounds like a conscious decision that doesn’t quite match the conductor’s approach. But later on, a slightly broader tempi allow them to find the different ebbs and flows in the phrasing.
The high density and dark colors that feature in both the Amman and Ravel are replaced by something altogether lighter in the Bartók Third Piano Concerto, which concludes the album. The same rhythmic precision that characterized the Amman and Ravel is also exhibited here, bringing a sense of unity across the unconventional programming. The semi-chamber approach taken by Mälkki works better here – The first movement reveals orchestral elements and contrapuntal sensitivity not always clearly heard on other performances. The second movement has a simplicity, with a purity of tone in the string parts which is especially captivating, making this movement the highlight of the program. Bavouzet’s complete Bartók Concertos is the unchallenged benchmark, while András Schiff and Iván Fischer bring more Hungarian flair to the music, but Haefliger’s personal approach is commendable and a fascinating listen.
The Ammann is a live recording in Helsinki’s Music Centre, Finland. BIS engineers have captured it superbly across the orchestra, with just an occasional intrusion from the pianist. The Ravel and Bartók were recorded in the same venue under studio conditions with exemplary results – the clarity of the recording allows the exceptional playing from the orchestra to be appreciated, especially from the brass, percussion and bassoons. This is apparent both on CD and SACD equipment. The booklet contains excellent notes on the three works, including by Ammann, which do justice to this commendable and highly enjoyable release.
Ammann – “The Piano Concerto (Grand Toccata)
Ravel – Concerto for the Left Hand
Bartók – Piano Concerto No. 3
Andreas Haefliger – Piano
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Susanna Mälkki – Conductor
BIS Records, Hybrid SACD BIS-2310
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