Louis Lortie reviews
Louis Lortie plays Chopin, Vol. 6
Vaughan Williams: Piano Concerto; Oboe Concerto; Flos Campi; Serenade to Music
In paradisum: A Fauré Recital
Louis Lortie returns to Fauré with aplomb
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 5
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos Nos 1, 2 & 4
Finzi: Cello Concerto; Eclogue; Nocturne (New Year Music); Grand Fantasia and Toccata
Sir Andrew Davis's interpretation of Vaughan Williams's Sinfonia Antartica 'gathers scale and momentum'
Vaughan Williams’s Piano Concerto still has a daunting reputation – its percussive chromatic runs completely overwhelmed its dedicatee Harriet Cohen. The late Joseph Cooper prepared this two-piano edition, for which the composer added extra bars and a serene closing cadenza, with a striking final fade well suited to Louis Lortie’s expansive yet nuanced approach. Either he or Hélène Mercier could probably polish off the original by themselves, but their partnership develops its intensity without strain, particularly attractive in rich SACD sound.
Louis Lortie plays Schumann & Chopin
A very rewarding listen, with beautiful touch from Louis Lortie. Neeme Järvi controls a halo of whisper-soft strings in the Chopin. Slightly erratic rubato in Schumann, but the Chopin is a triumph. Jessica Duchen