Mari Kodama: Beethoven - Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Beethoven's much-recorded Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 are given a new lease of life with this spirited performance.

Composer: Beethoven
Repertoire: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2
Artists: Mari Kodama (piano), Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/Kent Nagano
Rating:  4/5
Genre: Instrumental
Label: Analekta AN 29955

We are not exactly short of recordings of these works, and in a crowded market, for a small label and a relatively unknown pianist, the competition is stiff. But the performances from all concerned are out of the top drawer and the disc, unusually, presents the concertos in the order in which they were composed (i.e. No.2 followed by No.1). Miss Kodama plays the Second Concerto with a delightfully light Mozartian touch, changing to a fuller tone for the weightier First Concerto. Nagano provides feisty and detailed support.