Piotr Anderszewski Plays Bach: English Suite BWV 811/Beethoven: Piano Sonata Op. 110/Webern: Variations Op. 27
Usually it's the dazzling moments in a piano recital that first catch your attention. But although Anderszewski plays the opening of the Bach with plenty of brio and energy, it's the haunting playing of the Sarabande that first demonstrates that you are in the presence of pianistic greatness. The subdued, songful opening of the Beethoven Sonata Op. 110 promises another revelatory performance, promise amply fulfilled by Anderszewski's subtle, thoughtful playing. He then goes on the play the often-puzzling Webern as more of Beethoven's lyricism with weirder notes. This music actually isn't hard to understand when it's played with this kind of musical assurance. It isn't until you start reading the booklet--which is, alas, not very helpful--that you discover this recital is a reissue, first recorded for the Polish Accord label in 1996. The information should have been more prominently displayed, but the performances of this engrossing program are still well worth the price of the disc and continue to convince that Anderszewski is one of the most interesting, rewarding pianists of our time.--Leslie Gerber