A life-affirming & thrilling disc from two pianists who clearly love every note.

All the Piazzolla and the Jusid-Kauderer are arranged by either Pablo Ziegler or Federico Jusid for the two pianos that are caressed and toyed with in all manner of ways by Karin Lechner & Sergio Tiempo. Tiempo hails from Caracas (Venezuala) but it is clear that the Buenos Aires-born & raised Lercher has thoroughly primed him in the almost unrecognisable subtleties of the Tango phrasing & emphasis (akin to a gifted musician from Vienna schooling you in how to play the Strauss family). For all the sultry passion that is vividly portrayed, there is a delightful playful to the playing of both pianists that never fails to raise a smile; needless to say the Piazzolla items are the best known.

The centrepiece of the disc is Jusid's Tango Rhapsody for 2 pianos and orchestra. Unlike the rest of the programme, which was recorded in studio conditions in the Auditorio Stelio Molo (Lugano), this concertante work was recorded at concerts of the Progetto Martha Argerich 2010 (Lugano); applause is excised on the SACD and audience noise is mercifully absent. As the accompanying DVD shows - this work is one where Tiempo and Lechner not only prowl around the piano & orchestra figuratively but literally as well - this is a work of performance art as well as music. The DVD was filmed in Buenos Aeres with the local youth orchestra providing a setting for our pianists; the soundtrack though is the same as presented on SACD (albeit only in stereo) and now with accompanying applause. Although part of me thinks it may have been a shame that the youth orchestra was not heard (because everyone was obviously enjoying themselves), I am glad we can at least see how the piece works spatially. There are some obvious visual artefacts in the filming but it does not detract greatly from the extra enjoyment. By means of "encores", a further set of Tangos conclude the disc.

The sound presents a rich, dark texture from the pianos without the merest hint of hardness even when Tiempo & Lechner unleash their full potential. The balance in the concertante item however favours the pianos too much at the expense of the orchestra to be ideal.

Enthusiastically recommended.

Copyright © 2012 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

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