Prokofiev : Concertos pour piano n°1 à n°5

Piano International (May, 2014)
This set updates the previous Chandos offering of the Prokofiev piano concertos, conducted by Neeme Jarvi and split between pianists Boris Berman and Horacio Gutierrez. The new booklet notes, by the Prokofiev expert David Nice and Bavouzet himself, are a model of their kind. The five concertos fit neatly over two discs.

The BBC Philharmonic blossomed with Noseda as its principal conductor (2002-2011; he is now conductor laureate), and the close rapport they enjoy is evident here. It needs to be, given the ensemble challenges of Prokofiev’s scores, both for the orchestra alone and between soloist and tutti. Bavouzet, one of the most intelligent pianists active today, plays with complete …