Beethoven: Piano Concertos 1 & 2 [Tapiola Sinfonietta; Osmo Vänskä] [Bis: BIS2078]

It is impossible to hold back from admiration for Sudbin in whatever he plays, thanks to his brilliance and hallmark exuberance. –Gramophone, May’17There s certainly much to be impressed even dazzled by the playing here, with an exuberance and energy which never seem to let up, and a remarkable rapport between soloist, conductor and orchestra. Witness the razor-sharp sforzandi, and the mercurial but subtle rubato which seems to derive from a single intelligence. –Music Web International,May’17Sudbin’s cadenzas are highlights: hints of jazz harmonies and the later Romantics, but all done with a light ironic touch that sits elegantly with the performance as a whole.///There’s power in the solo playing, but it’s the Russian pianist’s delicate, finely imagined beauty that really stands out- in this respect this Concerto is quite an advance on No.2 . Sudbin’s cadenzas are highlights: hints of Jazz harmonies and the later Romantics, but all done with a light ironic touch that sits elegantly with the performance as a whole. /// The Tapiola Sinfonietta make a fantastic sound, crisp and clean as a Nordic summer’s day, and match the soloist s sense of fun and freedom. /// The Concerto No 1 here has the requisite muscular, big boned impact, as it takes the late- Mozart concerto format and stretches it to bursting point. The finale in particular has invigorating, impulsive energy. A splendid conclusion to the cycle. /// –BBC Music Magazine, May’17/// BBC Music Magazine, June’17/// Pianist,July’17/// International Piano, Sept/Oct’17