BEETHOVEN : TRIPLE CONCERTO & SCHUMANN : PIANO CONCERTO

Martha Argerich, Renaud Capuçon, Mischa Maisky, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Alexandre Rabinovitch-Barakovsky – 2004

The performances of the legendary pianist Martha Argerich are always special occasions and those on disc are no exception. This new release with EMI Classics is all the more so as it marks her first ever recording of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto and she is joined by the violinist Renaud Capuçon and cellist Mischa Maisky, conducted by Alexandre Rabinovitch-Barakovsky.

Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello & Piano in C Major, Op. 56
01 / I. Allegro    16:55
02 / II. Largo    5:32
03 / III. Rondo all polacca    12:46

Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54
04 / Allegro affettuoso    13:36
05 / Intermezzo (Andantino grazioso)    4:59
06 / Allegro vivace    10:36

The key to making this complicated concerto work is the relationship between the three soloists. The concerto works on many different levels, with the soloists having to respond to each other in the intimate way one would normally expect to hear in a chamber music work but in addition to this, they must respond to a full orchestra and conductor, at times all at once. Argerich, Capuçon and Maisky are regular collaborators and also friends, making them an ideal trio to make this Concerto a great success. Their performance has a great sense of spontaneity and at the same time, commitment, only possible with musicians this close.

This recording of the Beethoven Triple Concerto is coupled with the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, both recorded live at the Lugano Festivals of 2002 and 2003 as part of the ‘Martha Argerich Project’.