Daniil Trifonov’s recent recording of Chopin’s First and Second Piano Concertos in Mikhail Pletnev’s newly reorchestrated versions comes to life in this spring 2017 performance at the Konzerthaus Dortmund. Trifonov is joined on stage by the Mahler Chamber Orchestra under Pletnev’s accomplished baton.
Chopin composed his two piano concertos nearly simultaneously in 1829 and 1830 at the tender age of 20. Although they resemble each other in terms of form, spirit, interpretation, and orchestration, the two works represent each in their own way the young composer’s genius for melody, color, and pianistic virtuosity. Even so, the concertos show their composer’s age and experience when it comes to orchestration: though competent, the handling of the orchestra is typical of the time period, and offers little that could be considered truly innovative. This has led numerous composers to attempt reorchestrations of the two pieces over the years, with Mikhail Pletnev’s recently efforts fitting into that practice.
