Joseph Moog - Rachmaninov, Rubinstein: Piano Concertos (2012)

The outstanding young German pianist Joseph Moog makes his debut on ONYX with a superb disc of two great Russian piano concertos that have had very different fates. Anton Rubinstein s 4th was once one of the most famous and popular concertos in the repertoire, and many of the major virtuosos performed this work into the early years of the 20th century when the composer s other works vanished from the concert hall. He composed 5 piano concertos which can be considered as the models for those of Tchaikovsky and later Rachmaninov. Well written for the piano and the orchestra, Rubinstein s 4th is the archetypal Romantic concerto big tunes, big gestures, and plenty of exciting finger - work for the soloist. The neglect of this work today is hard to understand. Rachmaninov s 3rd concerto was one of the works that swept Rubinstein s concertos from the concert platform. Its combination of virtuosity, symphonic structure, plus the hallmark Rachmaninov gift for melody has made this one of the most popular works in the repertoire, from the time of its premiere in the USA, with the composer as soloist and Mahler conducting. It is one of the most technically demanding concertos in the repertoire. Joseph Moog has already established a formidable reputation as virtuoso and received rave reviews for his recent Liszt Concertos recording. Moog's playing conveys a grand and personal sense of Liszt's rhetoric, never succumbing to a tempting but empty glitter. Everything is given time to breathe and speak, and if there is an occasional lack of the sort of diabolic frisson that is second nature to, say, Richter or Argerich...these readings shine with an overall mastery and insight...there is a poise and maturity remarkable in so young a pianist. Rival discs by Brendel and Zimerman in particular may thrill and delight the most discerning Lisztian, but even in this company Joseph Moog holds his head high Bryce Morrison, Gramophone.