This set of Brahms Piano Concerti with
Ivan Moravec arrived yesterday from
Presto Classical (it's also
available from Amazon.ca). Unfortunately, I was charged GST and PST and a big service charge by Canada Post. Now, many years ago, I heard Moravec play Opus 15 with the Calgary Philharmonic. It was around 1984-1985 when I was a high school student. In a live performance, the balance between piano and orchestra is quite unlike that in recordings. I don't recall it as particularly powerful playing, but it was a long time ago. Last year, the family heard
Angela Cheng play this concerto with the Saskatoon Symphony. She gave it quite a bit of weight indeed. The performance was tarnished by some out of tune horn playing though. This particular set from Moravec received a Penguin Guide Rosette (
some reviews here). I concur!
