Happy Birthday Pierre Boulez!

Released to mark the maestro's 80th birthday, this disc of Bartok piano concertos is the perfect celebration.

Composer: Bartók
Repertoire: Piano Concertos
Artists: Zimerman, Andsnes, Grimaud (pianos), Various orchs/Pierre Boulez
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Instrumental
Label: DG 477 5330

Outstanding soloists and orchestras (Chicago, Berlin and London) make this Boulez birthday bash very special. The ‘Night Music’ section of the Second Concerto is balanced so every nuance is eerily present; and the opening of the Third is quite beautiful. The 80-year old maestro benevolently imposes his authority into the marrow of each bar: remarkable stuff considering the constant shifts of personnel.