Prokofiev piano concertos kun woo paik biography video

Naxos 8. The first one on this disc is number 3 which the distinguished pianist Martha Argerich has made her own in two splendid recorded performances, first with Abbado and then with Dutoit. She has more sparkle, speed and excitement than this performance but, nonetheless, this Korean pianist, who studied at the Julliard School of Music in New York, gives a very good performance.

The reason why many pianists say that they dislike it and, consequently, will not play it is merely a cover up for the fact that it is probably beyond them. It is decidedly Russian as the opening clarinet theme indicates. The andante gives way to an energetic allegro which scintillates and fascinates. The second movement is a theme and variations and shows many colours of both the piano and the orchestra.

The bassoon starts the finale which bristles along with sardonic humour. What makes this a fine concerto is that it exploits the piano. A piano concerto that does not do that is hardly a concerto. Much as I love the concertos of Haydn, Bach and Mozart they do not exploit the piano which instrument now has a reputation that expects it to produce some fireworks, a reputation it shares with the violin.

However, Prokofiev wisely includes his own brand of lyricism.

Kun Woo Paik was born

The soloist here captures all the qualities although he, and everybody else, will never approach the marvellous talent that Argerich has for this concerto. She has a reputation as well and that is for playing allegros too fast. Well, maybe At this year's Promenade Concerto she transformed the Schumann concerto out of that dreary and dreamy type of performance and made it live.

All music must sound as if it is living and not sound like a resurrected corpse and all music must move and press onwards.