Eldar Nebolsin - Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 2 - Concert Fantasia (2017) [Hi-Res]

Tchaikovsky has long maintained his position as among the most popular of all composers, his unequalled gift for melody and colourful orchestration given added depth through a rich Russian soulfulness. The Second Piano Concerto has always lived under the shadow of the famous First but, played here in the composer's original version, is full of life-enhancing character and emotion. Both this and the Concert Fantasia also contain beautiful chamber-music sections allowing unique interaction between soloist and orchestra. Eldar Nebolsin enjoys a busy international career as a soloist, recitalist and chamber music player, appearing with conductors, orchestras and colleagues of international distinction. During the 20092010 season he enjoyed the honour of being Artist in Residence for Musis Sacrum in Arnhem following his successful début with the Gelders Orkest and Nikolay Alexeev in 2008. In 2005 he was unanimously awarded the Sviatoslav Richter Prize in the First International Piano Competition in Moscow, where he was also honoured with the special award for The Best Classical Concerto Performance.

"... a real winner, not just for Nebolsin’s playing, but because of the addition of the totally overlooked Concert Fantasia." (Classic FM)

„Eclipsed by his enormously popular Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major has yielded a comparatively small discography, particularly in its original 1880 version. When this work is performed, the standard 1897 edition by Alexander Siloti is most often used, omitting Tchaikovsky's cadenzas and the extended passages for solo violin and cello in the Andante non troppo. They are heard to delightful effect in this exciting performance by pianist Eldar Nebolsin with Michael Stern and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, which is paired on this 2016 Naxos release with the charming Concert Fantasia in G major, another underdog in the repertoire that deserves more attention. One might regard these pieces as the sunnier siblings of the Piano Concerto No. 1, and their appealing melodies, brilliant keyboard writing, and optimistic moods reflect a more confident side of the composer. Yet there is plenty of drama and passion in the music, and Tchaikovsky's intense character shows in the occasional stormy episodes. Nebolsin is energetic and sparkling in the Concerto, most of all in the dazzling third movement, and he indulges in light and lively exchanges with the orchestra in the Concert Fantasia. Fans should snap up this album, because the selections are genuine rarities that belong in every Tchaikovsky collection.“ (AMG)

„Nebolsin hardly puts a foot wrong, and Michael Stern secures rhythmically vibrant playing from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.“ (BBC Music Magazine)

„Nebolsin's refined and bracingly original recordings of the Concerto and Fantasy complement some of the most compelling.“ (Gramophone)

„A goodly dose of unapologetically Tchaikovskian bliss.“ (MusicWeb International)

Eldar Nebolsin, piano
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Michael Stern, conductor

Digitally remastered