Anne-Marie McDermott has a very distinctive playing style, especially with Mozart. It’s delicate without being dainty. It’s expressive while neither being too emotive nor overly reserved. McDermott’s playing embodies what I like to think Mozart’s intentions were. But it’s playing that goes deeper than the notes. McDermott’s own personality makes these oh-so-familiar works sound fresh […]
Odense Symphony Orchestra
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Anne-Marie McDermott performs Mozart with exuberance and precision
Volume two of Anne-Marie McDermott’s Mozart series builds on the success of volume one. McDermott’s playing is as beautiful as ever. There’s apparent chemistry between her and the Odense Symphony Orchestra. Though each of the three concertos on this release has a different conductor, there’s a remarkable consistency in the interpretations. Piano Concerto No. 15 […]
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Anne-Marie McDermott launches Mozart series
Anne-Marie McDermott’s new Mozart series starts off with two showcase concertos. The Piano Concerto in C major, K. 415 was one of three Mozart wrote in 1783 to spotlight his talent as a composer and performer. The Piano Concerto in B-flat major, K. 238 was featured in Mozart’s 1777 European tour with his sister Nannerl. […]
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Rune Most Delivers Engaging Performances of Mozart Flute Music
A quick check on Arkivmusic.com revealed over 80 releases of Mozart’s flute concertos in print. So why should anyone pay attention to this release? Simple — the quality of the performances. Rune Most offer fresh insights into these well-known works. Most plays a modern wooden flute. Its smooth, mellow sound is close to what Mozart […]
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Poul Ruders’ Fiery Fifth Symphony
In one sense, this release of Poul Ruder’s Fifth Symphony isn’t much of a bargain. The entire album clocks in at 26:30, far below the average of 72 minutes for a classical release. But folks who shop by cost per second of playing time aren’t the audience for this music, anyway. Rather, this release is […]
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Peter Lieberson Concertos
Peter Lieberson: Piano Concerto No. 3; Viola Concerto Steven Beck, piano; Roberto Diaz, viola Odense Symphony Orchestra; Scott Yoo, conductor Peter Lieberson admitted that, as a student, he could spend the day studying the twelve-tone music of Stravinsky, then go home and enjoy a Barber concerto. He thought it important to balance asceticism with sensuality. […]
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Mozart Series Continues with Marianna Shirinyan
Although this is the fourth volume of Bridge Records’ survey of the Mozart piano concertos, it’s actually the first to feature pianist Mariann Shirinyan. She replaces the previous soloist (who has since left the label) to continue the series with Scott Yoo and the Odense Symphony Orchestra. Not to worry, though. Shirinyan is more than […]
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Joyce Yang: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1
It seems every pianist has to record the Tchaikovsky 1st, and Joyce Yang’s no exception. So how does her interpretation stack up against the others? In this live recording, Yang seems to approach the work from a fresh perspective, presenting the music on her own terms. Yang avoids the temptation of bombastic drama. She can play […]
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Fred Lerdahl Vol. 4 – Spirals in Form
Volume Four in Bridge Records’ ongoing Fred Lerdahl series features works from different stages of the composer’s career. And what an interesting career its been! Wake, a setting of Finnegan’s Wake, was Lerdahl’s first major composition. Finished in 1968, it’s Lerdahl at his most atonal. Written (and performed here) by Bethany Beardslee, Wake is a […]