Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer: Ivo Varbanov, Fiammetta Tarli
Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Muhai Tang
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Orchid
Catalogue: ORC100315
Release: 2024
Size: 2.32 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra No. 10 in E flat, K365
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Andante
03. III. Rondeau. Allegro
Concerto for 3 Pianos in F Major, K. 242 “Lodron” (Version for 2 Pianos & Orchestra)
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Adagio
06. III. Rondeau. Tempo di minuetto
Sonata for 2 pianos in D major, K448
07. I. Allegro con spirito
08. II. Andante
09. III. Allegro molto
This new collection of music for two pianos by Mozart features pianists Ivo Varbanov and Fiammetta Tarli, alongside the English Chamber Orchestra and Muhai Tang. Renowned for their wide-ranging careers as soloist and ensemble players, Varbanov and Tarli present performances of Mozart’s Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra K. 365, Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra K. 242, and Sonata for 2 Pianos K448/375a.
Recording in the beautiful Henry Wood Hall in London, Varbanov and Tarli chose to use Steingräber Phoenix pianos, as these magnificent, handcrafted pianos are ideal for performing repertoire requiring extreme finesse and nuance of sound. Apart from their unusual appearance, as they were made in a warm blonde wood colour, the Steingräber Phoenix sounds very different from the usual, bright grand piano. Listeners will find, particularly in the higher register, the sound much more mellow and perhaps a little closer to that of a period instrument. For the two-piano concertos by Mozart of this recording the result is striking: thanks to the less aggressive tone, many more details of Mozart’s experimental two-piano writing come to the fore.