Grieg/Rachmaninov : Piano Concerti

Piano International (May, 2012)
This is the third recording on the PentaTone label from Chinese pianist Sa Chen, following a disc of the Chopin Piano Concertos and a recital of Rachmaninov and Mussorgsky. Chen, a prizewinner at the 12th Van Cilburn competition in 2005, tackles the Grieg with a full, rich sound. Chen’s account of the Rachmaninov is impressive, although a greater lightness of touch would be welcomed in the second movement. Her performance bears the hallmarks of Chinese accuracy and European phrasing. (Sa Chen studied at London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama and at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hanover, and is now living in Germany.) At times, the orchestral accompaniment …