Originally published at Seen and Heard International
The names Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven are practically synonymous with Western music’s Classical Period. But while we may be familiar with the usual suspects in their repertoires, the Seattle Symphony’s recent concert program featuring pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet promised to be a refreshing take on these masters with a program featuring three of their lesser-known piano concerti.
Bavouzet and the orchestra opened the program with Franz Joseph Haydn’s Piano Concerto in F Major. Audiences don’t hear Haydn’s piano concerti as much as his pieces for violin and cello. Some of this may be a result of their ambiguous origins, but also the simple geniality of the writing which exudes courtly affability. But Bavouzet’s interpretation avoided these pitfalls, instead emphasizing the wit and energy of Haydn’s writing in a performance that felt like a true partnership with the orchestra.
Continue reading Classical Period shines in program featuring Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven piano concerti performed by Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and the Seattle Symphony
Gathering Note 