Recommended

“…this is rapidly becoming THE modern instrument cycle of choice."

“… Bavouzet’s pianism is quite remarkable. Cadenza choices and interpretative eccentricities aside, it has a Swiss-watch accuracy, polish, elegance, and perfection to it that can be appreciated as one appreciates the workings of an intricate, complex machine… “    - Jerry Dubins

“… A strong recommendation comes easily.” – Huntley Dent

Choc de Classica

Recommended

“…Chandos provides vivid and well balanced sound in all works… if one wants a coupling of these two concertos, I would make his [Bavouzet] performances on this Chandos disc my first choice.”

“In his fourth instalment of Mozart’s complete piano concertos, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet enters the uplands of the first true masterpieces, Concertos 21 in C major and 20 in D minor. His approach to the former is appropriately sunny and happy. His delicate sense of rubato in the slow movement creates an improvisatory mood without undue indulgence, and the spring-heeled tempo in the final movement is delightful… The Manchester Camerata accompany well, and offer a stormy Don Giovanni Overture…” ****

“For modern-instrument Mozart, I’m likely to prefer this in future even to my previous favourites.”

“Jean-Efflam Bavouzet takes a direct approach to Mozart and Gábor Takács-Nagy is an ideal partner in providing a positive orchestral contribution – the woodwinds in particular are very clear and well detailed… K467 is sometimes inappropriately romanticised but Bavouzet gives an ideally cool and lucid reading. There are personal moments however … this is an exceptionally sympathetic reading of one of Mozart’s supreme creations. K466 is the more serious and powerful of these Concertos and Takács-Nagy brings drama to the extensive introduction… ***

Editor’s Choice – Orchestral

“… This series of discs is shaping up to be a serious front-runner in a cycle of works that has never wanted for fine recordings… For this concerto pairing, there are few recordings as fine.”

“… This fourth release brings concertos Nos 20 and 21, the latter freshened by fingering quirks and cadenzas devised by the maverick Friedrich Gulda… you can’t fault him [Bavouzet] for crystal clarity, ensemble spirit and the springing of pleasant surprises.”

Album of the Week

“… The interplay between the pianist and the woodwind soloists is especially rewarding in these compelling performances.”