Just a few weeks ago, I reviewed the first part of Seong-Jin Cho’s ambitious Ravel project, a 2-CD set of the complete piano works. This second installment includes the two piano concertos, featuring Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
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In his solo performances, I had remarked that the pianist’s trademark attention to nuance came out wonderfully in particular movements from Miroirs and Le Tombeau de Couperin. While the concerti, are more lively and dramatic, they too have their subtleties; I was curious to observe how Cho’s finesse would translate from a solo performance to an ensemble setting.
The first movement of the G Major Piano Concerto is more about jazzy electricity than tender reflection, and the performers capture the fun, playful elements well. Right away from the opening bars, it’s clear how varied the timbres are amongst the different sections of the Boston Symphony: we have the crisp, angular sounds of the trumpet solo, but then emerges a completely different sonic profile from the strings – velvety yet deeper and three-dimensional.
In the piano’s reappearance after the orchestral introduction, Cho wonderfully manages to capture Ravel’s idiomatic style: for all the lyricism of the writing, there is often an air of breezy nonchalance. Taking an overly-emotive approach can turn the melodic lines stodgy. Cho manages to avoid this pitfall, maintaining a certain level of restrained elegance while still preserving a delightful fluidity.
In the more exhilarating moments, I felt that Cho could release a bit more tension. The section starting at 2’48” has a lot of energy, but to truly elevate it, there needs to be a bit more assertive drive, as evident in the Argerich/Dutoit recording; the jazzy accents could also benefit from greater emphasis. Nevertheless, the indelible bursts from the brass section do compensate for some of the shortcomings by injecting humor.
The Adagio Assai (track 2) undoubtedly presents a true challenge for nuance. Cho’s remarkable musicality and impressive gradients of piano dynamics are in full display throughout the lengthy opening section. The dialogue between the woodwinds and the piano later on is especially lovely, infusing the movement with a deeply sensitive quality. I did think that on few instances, the rubato is a little over the top and disrupts the phrasal continuity (an issue I also commented on when reviewing the solo works). Nevertheless, the overall execution of the movement is exceptionally beautiful.
The Concerto for the Left Hand is an impressive and revealing work that showcases a completely different side of both the composer and the pianist. The Lento (track 4) features a significant portion dedicated to the cadenza, where Cho brings to life a cataclysmic character with a terrifying intensity that captivates the listener.
The middle movement provides an opportunity for the orchestra to shine, and it certainly does so with diligence, embodying the combination of austere, martial, and quirky persona. The sharp staccatos and descending passages convey a convincing element of sarcasm and irony. Not to be missed is the eerie section that appears around three minutes in, which sounds almost otherworldly.
Seong-Jin Cho (image: Christopher Köstlin / DG)
The recording balance is on the resonant side, which may disappoint listeners looking for a clinically clear sound image, though it’s less obvious when listening to the album on the supported Dolby Atmos. The piano itself also has some voicing inconsistencies that make certain registers sound rather stringy and harsh; kudos certainly go to Cho for making the most of the best parts of the instrument.
While this recording may not replace historical reference points, it is definitely a worthy addition to any Ravel lover’s collection, and a fitting conclusion to the cycle Cho began with his two-disc set of solo works.
Recommended Comparisons:
Zimerman | Wang | Argerich (G) | Michelangeli (G) | Fleisher (LH)
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Album Details |
|
|---|---|
| Album name | Ravel – The Piano Concertos |
| Label | Deutsche Grammophon |
| Catalogue No. | 4866820 |
| Amazon Music link | Stream here |
| Apple Music link | Stream here |
| Artists | Seong-Jin Cho Boston Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons |
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