Darius Milhaud - Piano Concertos (Michael Korstick)

Information

Composer: Darius Milhaud

CD1:

• (01) Le Carnaval d'Aix, Op. 83b
• (13) Ballade, Op. 61
• (14) Cinq Études, Op. 63
• (19) Concerto [No. 1], Op. 127
• (22) Fantaisie Pastorale, Op. 188

CD2:

• (01) Deuxième Concerto, Op. 228
• (04) Troisième Concerto, Op. 270
• (07) Quatrième Concerto, Op. 295
• (10) Cinquième Concerto, Op. 346

Michael Korstick, piano
SWR Radio Orchestra Kaiserslautern
Alun Francis, conductor

Date: 2006
Label: cpo

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Review

Works that can seem bewildering but they certainly entertaining

This collection of Milhaud’s works for piano and orchestra follows Alun Francis’s set of the symphonies. Of obvious value for collectors, it once more underlines the uneven quality of Milhaud’s tireless facility or, as one writer put it, of his moving from a “dry gravity to a vulgar nonchalance that is disconcerting in a serious artist”. Self-consciously aware of the need to erase all division between “serious” and popular music, Milhaud’s work is a bewildering mix of cunning and facetiousness. Heard at his best in works such a La création du monde and, here, Le carnaval d’Aix, a reworking of his ballet Salade, there is much to enjoy and entertain. The alternately feisty and insinuating Etudes and the faux-pastoral element in the Op 188 Fantaisie are witty and engaging, but it is hard to welcome the five piano concertos with their incessant toccata-like chatter and volubility. Here, Milhaud’s love of polyrhythm and bitonality are sacrificed for a tame astringency, leaving little more than an impression of someone carried away in talk. None the less, all these works are expertly played by Michael Korstick (who apparently has 110 concertos under his belt) and Alun Francis, and CPO’s recordings are well balanced and crystal clear.

-- Bryce Morrison, Gramophone

More reviews:
ClassicsToday  ARTISTIC QUALITY: 9 / SOUND QUALITY: 9
http://www.classical-music.com/review/milhaud-14
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/feb/16/classicalmusicandopera.shopping3
https://www.allmusic.com/album/darius-milhaud-complete-piano-concertos-mw0001859430
https://www.amazon.com/Milhaud-Complete-Works-Piano-Orchestra/dp/B000L42J68

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Darius Milhaud (4 September 1892 – 22 June 1974) was a French composer, conductor and teacher. He was a member of Les Six and one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century; his opus list ended at 443. Milhaud composed for a wide range of genres. His compositions are influenced by jazz and make use of polytonality. His most popular works include Le bœuf sur le toit, La création du monde, Scaramouche, and Saudades do Brasil. Milhaud taught at Mills College and the Paris Conservatoire. The jazz pianist Dave Brubeck was one of Milhaud's most famous students, along with popular songwriter Burt Bacharach.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darius_Milhaud

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Michael Korstick (born April 30, 1955 in Cologne, Germany) is a German pianist. Korstick received his first piano lessons at the age of 9, and subsequently studied with Jürgen Tröster, Hans Leygraf, Tatiana Nikolayeva, Sascha Gorodnitzki and Jeaneane Dowis. His repertoire consists of more than 120 works for piano and orchestra and a large number of solo works from all periods, including the complete sonatas of Beethoven. Korstick has made more than 50 CD recordings so far, winning several prizes. He lives and works in Linz, Austria, where he is a full professor at Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Korstick

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