“This is a lovely disc. It was only a matter of time before Edward Gardner’s association with the Bergen Philharmonic would result in his recording their most characteristic repertoire, and the results are lovely…”

“… This is not just another recording of Grieg’s perennially popular concerto; it’s quite different … it dares to be different; and what is the point, after all, of adding yet another version of the piece to your collection if it’s not different from the dozen you have? I find this to be an exceptionally beautiful and moving performance, and one that breathes new life into an old racehorse and proves that she’s still capable of another lap around the track. Chandos’s recording, release as an SACD in physical form, profiles the piano and pinpoints every instrument in the orchestra with extraordinary clarity. Strongly recommended.”

“… The program ends with a brief orchestral arrangement of a skirling, dance-like march that I didn’t recognize under its formal title as a number from Grieg’s Folkelivbilleder, op. 19, but the tune turns out to be familiar and the piece a three-minute gem. The main attraction here is nearly an hour of music from Peer Gynt in a very appealing reading, and fans of Bavouzet will be pleased with the Piano Concerto…”

Interpretation *****      Sound *****      Repertoire ******

***** (Exceptional Album) Coup de Coeur

“This is the real deal… In the Hall of the Mountain King ends as we have probably never hear it before with the bloodthirsty shouts of the trolls to the fore. On the opening three tracks we also hear the Hardanger fiddle… The soloist for the Piano Concerto is the multi award-winning Frenchman, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. His is a pleasingly fresh reading of a much-recorded work…”

“…Bavouzet and Gardner have the measure of the concerto … Bavouzet is … light and carefree in the opening Allegro molto moderato, magical in the central Adagio and dazzling in the finale. The Bergen Philharmonic play superbly, as they do throughout Peer Gynt. The vocal and choral contributions are nicely realised too…”  *****

***** (Superb Album)    Sound (CD): 4.5/5    (SACD): 4.5/5

“…Throughout, the orchestra plays with an ideal combination of verve and delicacy, which saves even the sweetest moments from slipping into sentimentality. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, the soloist in the concerto, also understands the pitfalls of over-sweetness on the one hand, and grandiloquence on the other. He nimbly avoids both, playing the opening peroration with briskness rather than overt heroics, and giving the melody of the slow movement a clean, light simplicity.” *****

Performance ****          Recording ****

“”... Edward Gardner and a splendid team tackle the whole work [Peer Gynt] with all the verve and drama one could possible want... There’s tender singing from Ann-Helen Moen as Solveig and a tantalising glimpse of the marvellous Lise Davidsen as Anitta. But perhaps the most illuminating is the contribution of Håkan Høgemo on the Hardanger fiddle, giving pithy insight into the extent of Norwegian folk music’s influence on the side of Grieg everyone knows and loves... Bavouzet, Gardner and the orchestra embrace it [Piano Concerto] just the way it is. In their extrovert interpretation it’s all fire and ice, its terrific Romantic sweep and relishable virtuosity matched with satisfying, poetic introspection.”

“...Chandos and Gardner give us virtually all the important music that Grieg composed for the play. The score is given an extremely winning and characterful performance by Edward Gardner ... this Peer Gynt is accompanied by a particularly distinctive performance of the composer’s other signature work, the warhorse that is  the Piano Concerto, and the wonderfully blooming surround sound recording does full justice to both works These keenly idiomatic performances of the most famous works by Grieg are superbly captured in exemplary Chandos surround sound.”

“... The unique sounds of a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle add indigenous colour in a way unmatched in any previous recording of Peer Gynt I have heard. So it is throughout the entire score, with solo and choral singing of consistent quality. The three sopranos are excellent individually, and blend splendidly. Johannes Weisser is a spontaneous Peer Gynt of much character; in ‘Serenade’ he is outstanding... Gardner must be considered a first choice for the complete Peer Gynt score, and in addition there is Jean-Efflam Bavouzet in the Piano Concerto. He plays with virtuosity and sensitivity ...”   ****

Download Album of the Month

Artistic Judgement: Exceptional       Technical Judgement: Exceptional  (Dynamics: 5    Tonal Balance: 5       Sound Stage: 5       Detail: 5)

“... the closing number of the Chandos set is a highlight, Gardner Drawing music out with all the time in the world, against which his Solveig sings her cradle song with great sincerity. In the Piano Concerto, Gardner brings to the table flair, drive and an almost Tchaikovskian lushness to the string sound, which matches will Bavouzet’s commanding manner in the piano’s opening flourish. But there’s also a sense of playfulness ...”

Album of the Week

“...The drama and passion of such favourite pieces as the incidental music to Peer Gynt and the Piano Concerto are superbly captured in surround-sound with exemplary Chandos sound quality... Having collaborated with the orchestra on several occasions, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is the soloist in the Piano Concerto, a piece that stands out as a shining example of a single great thought captured and expressed in music. The power of this conception is evident throughout the concerto in the pianists faithful, yet highly romantic interpretation.”

“... Gardner steers it all authoritatively. The strings pulse moodily in The Death of Ase, the cleansing Morning Mood is impeccable, and with excitable girls’ and boys’ choruses contributing to the accelerando bedlam of the Mountain King, all the “hits” are done full justice. Norway’s new star soprano, Lise Davidsen, contributes a commanding Anitra, while Ann-Helen Moen sings Solveig’s Song with eloquent longing. One listen and you’ll be pining for the fjords too.” ****