Choc du Classica

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

“…Throughout this superb disc, Giltburg is a joy to hear, lightly pedalled, consistently on the qui vive, weaving and darting, with a delicious leggiero touch and crystal-clear articulation...these are among the finest accounts of these works alongside Wild, Shelley, Hough and of course the composer himself.”

“… Characterful, sensitive and technically dazzling, he’s in his element in these electrifying works – and the Brussels Phil provides lush accompaniment.” ****

“…In the first movement of the First Concerto he provides the requisite boldness and grandeur as well as much warm lyricism and light filigree. His Fazioli piano is always in ideal balance with the orchestra…The recorded sound is warm and clear throughout…”

“…Giltburg plays spontaneously and with great clarity, Sinaisky provides an excellently blended, very supple orchestral sound.” ****

Outstanding

“As in the previous instalments of this cycle, the performances are immaculate. Giltburg has a fiercely impressive technique, which allows him to glitter and dash his way spectacularly through the First Concerto.”

“… Giltburg, closing his Naxos series devoted to the composer’s piano concertos, displays such vivacity at the keyboard that it’s still not easy to relax. The concertos included, the First and Fourth, may not be the most popular, but Giltburg, armed with nimble fingers and the clean attack of his Fazioli piano, treats them both with loving panache, almost matching the top-flight entertainment guaranteed by the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, the album’s third item.” *****

“… Once more the playing is of a thrilling immediacy and charisma. Hardly a pianist for vague approximation, he lets you hear every one of Rachmaninov’s teeming notes …”