Leif Ove Andsnes - Mozart — Piano Concertos № 17 & 20 (2008)

Considering his rather vast discography, it may seem a bit odd that pianist Leif Ove Andsnes has visited the "Mozart well" on so few occasions. His previous Mozart offering came in 2004 with concertos No. 9 and No. 18. Four years later, Andsnes tried again with the concertos No. 17 and No. 20, again leading the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra from the piano. If you have the 2004 album and liked it, then you're sure to enjoy this one, as well, because very little has changed. If, however, you were turned off by Andsnes' and the NCO's playing before, then this CD is not likely to please either because, well, very little has changed. Andsnes' vision for Mozart is extremely stoic, rigid, and all-around unmoving. Concerto No. 17 is filled with all kinds of unexpected modulations, visits to unrelated key areas, and interesting harmonizations, all of which just scream for subtle variations in color and affect from soloist and orchestra alike, but Andsnes does not deliver on these opportunities. The Twentieth Concerto, by far the most tumultuous of Mozart's piano concertos, is performed with equal measures of rigidity and detachment. The orchestral tuttis are filled with preposterously overstated and militaristic accents. Still, Andsnes' playing is quite clean, so listeners who want just an unadulterated reading of the notes have found the right album. Those in the market for Mozart with a little heart, however, should keep looking.