Piano Concertos No. 1, Op. 25 & No. 2 Op. 40 (Murray Perahia, Piano)

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) “played the piano as a lark soars.” The two concertos are brilliant and entertaining, but not passionate or profound, and like many of his works, “masterpieces of refinement, lightness, clarity, and control.” The Piano Concerto No. 1 was championed by Liszt. The 1st mvmt is dramatic, the 2nd a singing romance, and the finale brilliant, brash and agitated. The Piano Concerto No. 2 is less engaging melodically, but the 1st mvmt opening theme is “one of the composer’s happier inventions,” and the Finale is vivacious. Schumann felt the work was “casually” composed. The Prelude & Fugue contains an energetic prelude melody framed by arpeggios in both hands, and a dramatic fugue that ends in a powerful chorale. The Variations sérieuses rank with those of Beethoven and Brahms and are frequently played. “The theme has great beauty and pathos.” The 17 variations are “very varied and resourceful.” The Rondo capriccioso “is fresh, exhilarating, and well deserves its popularity.”

1. Concerto No. 1 for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 25. 1. Molto allegro con fuoco (7:06)
2. Andante (6:28)
3. Presto, molto allegro e vivace (6:28)
4. Concerto No. 2 for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 40. 1. Allegro appassionata (9:22)
5. Adagio (7:24)
6. Finale: Presto scherzando (6:47)
7. Prelude & Fugue, Op. 35, No. 1 (8:10)
8. Variations Sérieuses, Op. 54 (11:30)
9. Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14 (6:29)