Presto Recording of the Week
31st May 2024
Nicola Benedetti (violin), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Benjamin Grosvenor (piano), Gerald Finley (baritone), Philharmonia Orchestra, Santtu-Matias Rouvali (conductor)
Beethoven: Triple Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C major, Op. 56
Beethoven: Scottish Songs (25), Op. 108. No. 2, Sunset, No. 20, Faithfu' Johnie
Beethoven: Welsh Songs (26), WoO 155. No. 8, Farewell, Thou Noisy Town, No. 25, The Parting Kiss, No. 18, Sweet Richard
Beethoven: Irish Songs (20), WoO 153. No. 11, When Far From the Home
Beethoven: Verschiedene Volkslieder, WoO 157. No. 8, By the Side of the Shannon
Beethoven: Scottish Songs (22), WoO 156. No. 1, Untitled
trad.: Londonderry Air "Farewell to Cucullain" (Arr. Kreisler for Violin, Cello & Piano)
Three of the world’s greatest classical stars join forces to record Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. All alumni of the BBC Young Musician competition, they are great friends but this is the first time they have appeared on record together. They have a joint reach of over 1 million and are all touring regularly internationally. The first recording of the work on Decca Classics, Nicky, Sheku and Benjamin toured the concerto around the UK in 2023, after which they recorded it with the Philharmonia and their Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali. The works are accompanied by a selection of Beethoven’s rarely performed Folk Songs, along with celebrated baritone Gerald Finley. Reflecting the Scottish, Welsh, Irish and English roots of the musicians, the album concludes with the trio alone: Kreisler’s arrangement of ‘Londonderry Air’, often known as ‘Danny Boy’.
"The forces assembled here don’t aim to pump the music full of steroids; rather they make the most of its qualities, especially the graceful elegance inspired by Beethoven’s interest in French music of the time...There is no sense here of big stars using the music as a vehicle for promotion; they instead put their considerable technical and interpretative skills completely at the service of the music." - Matthew Ash, Presto Music, 31st May 2024
