Beethoven - Piano Concerto No.3/Moonlight Sonata: Fazil Say

Pianistic fireworks from the Turkish maestro. John Suchet's Album of the Week, 10 March 2014.

The pianist and composer Fazil Say has been exciting audiences and critics alike for more than 25 years. He has played with numerous great orchestras and conductors around the world and, in addition, his recordings have been highly praised and won several prizes. 

Following several albums dedicated to his own compositions, Say here returns to core classical repertoire with three works of Beethoven - the 'Moonlight' sonata and the Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, as well as the Piano Concerto No.3 - also in C minor.

Say's playing is not to everyone's taste - he sometimes sacrifices clarity and accuracy for lightning speeds and showmanship, but he can equally coax the most beautiful melodic sound from his instrument. 

Here in the concerto, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra - conducted by Gianandrea Noseda - provide sturdy accompaniment.