After having won the Gramophone Award in 2014 for his recording of Prokofiev's five piano concertos, exclusive Chandos artist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet here explores the complete works for piano and orchestra of another Russian composer of the twentieth century: Igor Stravinsky. Bartk's Piano Concerto No. 2, Ravel's Piano Concerto for the left hand, and Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano and Wind Orchestra make good company. First, Bavouzet considers them 'the greatest concertos of the twentieth century'. Furthermore, he has recorded all of them with Chandos. Last, but not least, his recordings of both Bartk's (CHAN 10610) and Ravel's (CHSA 5084) were shortlisted for Gramophone Awards in 2011 ('Concerto' category). The winner The latter, which marked the first collaboration between Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and Yan Pascal Tortelier, one that is resumed on the present album. It starts with the crisp games with rhythms, polyphony, and classical form of the expressive, weighty Concerto for Piano and Wind Orchestra. Then the Capriccio is a piece that Stravinsky composed as a repertoire alternative to his concerto he performed it more than forty times in the first four years after its creation. The anti-tonal, twelve-tone idiom of Movements represents Stravinsky's experiments in the use of serial techniques. Ptrouchka is a work for piano and orchestra as well, except that the piano here is not a solo instrument but rather part of the orchestral fabric. Moreover, Bavouzet himself has described blending in with the fortissimos of the orchestra as 'one of the best musical experiences of my life'. Review Stravinsky's complete works for piano and orchestra, grouped together here by the French virtuoso pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier and the So Paulo Symphony Orchestra, span the bulk of his working life from 1910 (Ptrouchka) to 1959 (Movements), via the eclectic formality and classicism of the Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments to the high-spirited Capriccio, which the composer himself frequently performed. Bavouzet, who won a 2014 Gramophone award for his Prokofiev concertos, brings energy and precision to this repertoire, whether in the serialism of Movements or the majestic, extrovert flair of Ptrouchka. It's hard to imagine better. **** --Guardian, 18/1/15 These works are technically demanding and also require a subtlety of approach which Jean-Efflam Bavouzet fully inderstands ....Gramophone, Feb'15.// He captures the spirit of these disparate works , punching through the texture in the outer movements of the Concerto, wryly dispatching the mischievous escapades of the Capriccio and savouring the fragmental textures of Movements. Performance **** Recording ***** --BBC Music Magazine, Mar '15 In a bold move, Chandos couples three familiar concertante works with a sensational Petrushka- Bavouzet seemingly revelling in an unfamiliar role as orchestral pianist ! .Classical Music, Feb'15 /// Throughout all three works , the Sao Paulo orchestra, under Yan Pascal Tortelier, responds dazzlingly. IRR,Mar'15 /// Tortelier is a fine partner to Bavouzet, and they cut through the rhythmic challenges like a knife through butter. There are many versions on the market, but should secure first choice.The Pianist, Apr-May'15 /// Critics' Choice --Gramophone, Dec'15
