Chopin: Piano Concertos

Rafal Blechacz (piano) Royal Concertgebouw/Jerzy Semkow Deutsche Grammophon 477 8088 ***
Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz, winner of the 2005 Chopin Competition in Warsaw, here tackles Chopin's two piano concertos. Blechacz's approach is sober and level-headed rather than charismatic. Yes, he is wistful in the slow movement of

the First Concerto, where the dreaminess is sometimes mesmerising, and he finds a nicely balletic spring in the finale. But, in general, the playing seems at pains to sound beautifully turned and impeccable in taste. The effect is often along the lines of an old head on young shoulders. Blechacz sounds too concerned with the big picture to allow himself to indulge fully in the pleasure of the moment. Chinese pianist Yundi Li, winner of the 2000 Chopin competition (also on DG) does that far better in the First Concerto. www.dgwebshop.com