Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1 - Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 - BIS: BIS2381 - SACD or download

Zhang possesses a clarity of finger and thought that are highly impressive. Passages that are often sounded with an all-purpose pyrotechnical pizzazz here possess a transparent sparkle, refreshingly... — BBC Music Magazine, October 2019, (Performance) / (Recording) More…

Release Date: 2nd Aug 2019
Catalogue No: BIS2381
Label: BIS
Length: 66 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

September 2019

Editor's Choice
International Classical Music Awards

2019

Nominee - Concerto

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Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16

32:01

$8.00

$9.60

$14.00

Haochen Zhang (piano)
Lahti Symphony Orchestra
Dima Slobodeniouk

I. Andantino - Allegretto

11:24

$3.00

$3.60

$5.25

II. Scherzo. Vivace

2:31

$1.00

$1.20

$1.75

III. Intermezzo. Allegro moderato

6:33

$1.00

$1.20

$1.75

IV. Finale. Allegro tempestoso

11:33

$3.00

$3.60

$5.25

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

34:25

Album only

Haochen Zhang (piano)
Lahti Symphony Orchestra
Dima Slobodeniouk

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso

20:15

Album only

II. Andantino simplice

6:56

$1.00

$1.20

$1.75

III. Allegro con fuoco

7:14

$1.00

$1.20

$1.75

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Winner of the 2009 Van Cliburn competition, Haochen Zhang is no stranger to a challenge. On this début concerto disc he proves this once more, boldly jumping in at the deep end as he takes on Sergei Prokofievs Piano Concerto No. 2. The demands posed by Prokofievs concerto are famous, starting with a huge cadenza already in the first movement. This may explain why the concerto was for a long time relatively unknown and, unlike the First and Third Piano Concertos, has only recently taken its rightful place in the repertory. The work was premièred by the composer himself in 1913, shocking the audience with its modernistic sounds and jagged rhythms. But even though Prokofiev was happy to nurture a reputation for badboy modernism, there is also a rich seam of Russian tradition which underlie his music from the beginning to the end of his career. It is therefore fitting that Haochen Zhang has chosen to complete the disc with one of the best-loved concertos from that tradition: Tchaikovskys Piano Concerto in B flat minor. In both works, Zhang is supported by the Lahti Symphony Orchestra under the baton of its principal conductor, Dima Slobodeniouk.

Reviews

October 2019

Zhang possesses a clarity of finger and thought that are highly impressive. Passages that are often sounded with an all-purpose pyrotechnical pizzazz here possess a transparent sparkle, refreshingly free of washes of sustain-pedal sound. The Lahti Symphony Orchestra under its principal conductor Dima Slobodeniouk matches him with playing of undemonstrative poise and equanimity.

January/February 2020

I never thought I’d use the word “beautiful” to describe Prokofiev’s No. 2, but in Zhang’s hands, and equally so in the playing of the Lahti orchestra under the baton of Slobodeniouk, the concerto blooms and blossoms as I’ve never heard it before...this is a special performance of the Prokofiev that I cannot recommend too highly. Outstanding sound from BIS, too, as usual.

September 2019

Do we really need another Tchaikovsky First Concerto on disc? Well, the answer in this instance is an enthusiastic ‘yes’: listening to his way with this old warhorse left me in no doubt that here is an artist of rare talent...The Prokofiev, which precedes it, will do nothing to lessen the growing popularity of this extraordinary work.

December 2019

A determined opening to the Tchaikovsky is perhaps misleading: Zhang is a hyper-musical player who finds huge subtleties. Slobodeniouk and his Lahti forces are on the same page – there is power, but staggering detail. The magic comes from Zhang, the cadenza containing miracles of jeu perlé. Joyous abandon characterises the gossamer passages of the second movement, while the recording showcases the explosion of the finale’s opening, a gritty dance.

August 2019

Soloist and orchestra excel.

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1 - Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2

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