Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2; Rondo brilliant, Op. 29 Martin Helmchen

• Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25
• 1 I. Molto allegro con fuoco 07:32
• 2 II. Andante 06:20
• 3 III. Presto 06:59
• Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 40
• 4 I. Allegro appassionato 09:36
• 5 II. Adagio - Molto sostenuto 06:07
• 6 III. Finale - Presto scherzando 07:05
• Rondo brillant in E flat major, Op. 29
• 7 Rondo brillant in E flat major, Op. 29 11:21
• Total Runtime 55:00

Info for Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2; Rondo brilliant, Op. 29

The young pianist Martin Helmchen has already been awarded two of the most important prizes in the music scene: the Credit Suisse Young Artist Award and the ECHO Klassik. He received the Credit Suisse Award in September 2006. The prize included his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic under Valery Gergiev, performing Schumann's Piano Concerto during the Lucerne Festival. He was awarded the ECHO prize jointly with cellist Danjulo Ishizaka, as 'Nachwuchskunstler des Jahres' (up-and-coming artist of the year).

“The outer movements of the concertos fizz and sparkle as they should yet Helmchen finds time to sculpt phrase-endings without any loss of momentum, heightening the drama in the process. The piano is centre stage in the sound picture - and how Helmchen can make it sing!...his burnished, singing tone bring[s] an unusual depth to this life-enhancing music.” (Gramophone Magazine)

“The Rondo brillant was never meant to be anything more than what it says...and Martin Helmchen has just the youthful energy and dazzling technique to make the most of it. Everything is kept light and good-humoured, and this is really also the right manner for the concertos” (International Record Review)

Martin Helmchen, piano
Royal Flemish Philharmonic
Philippe Herreweghe, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2; Rondo brilliant, Op. 29