Géza Anda - Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 in B Flat Minor Opus 23

Review by Gagan Singh

Géza Anda's performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor Opus 23 is a stunning example of the virtuosity and musicality that made him one of the most celebrated pianists of the 20th century. Recorded in 1958 with the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Ferenc Fricsay, this album showcases the full range of Anda's technical and interpretive abilities, as well as his deep understanding of Tchaikovsky's music.

From the opening bars of the concerto's famous first movement, Anda's playing is marked by a sense of urgency and passion that never flags throughout the work's three movements. His virtuosic runs and arpeggios are executed with breathtaking precision, but always in service of the larger musical structure. The slower, more lyrical moments of the concerto are no less impressive, with Anda imbuing each phrase with a deep emotional resonance.

The Berlin Philharmonic, for its part, provides a perfect foil for Anda's playing, with Fricsay eliciting a rich, full-bodied sound from the orchestra that complements the pianist's every move. The concerto's famous horn solo, for example, is played with a beautifully sonorous tone that sets the stage for Anda's entrance.

Summary by Gagan Singh

this album is a must-have for any lover of Tchaikovsky's music or of piano music in general. Anda's playing is simply breathtaking, and the recording quality is excellent, capturing every nuance of his performance. Highly recommended.