Alexandra Dariescu, Clara Schumann and Edvard Grieg Piano Concertos Review

by Steven Miller

Alexandra Dariescu, a Romanian pianist renowned for her technical skill and innovative programming, has released an album featuring the piano concertos of Clara Schumann and Edvard Grieg. Clara Schumann and Edvard Grieg Piano Concertos, released under the Signum label, present a fresh take on these classical masterpieces, offering a blend of youthful exuberance and deep emotional resonance that mirrors Dariescu’s artistic journey.

Dariescu’s choice to feature Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto is particularly compelling. Composed when Schumann was still a teenager, the piece showcases her early genius and the extraordinary virtuosity she possessed even at a young age. Dariescu brings out the lyrical beauty and technical challenges of this concerto, highlighting its place not just as a historical work of art, but as a vibrant, living piece of the classical repertoire. Paired with Grieg’s Piano Concerto, the album forms a dialogue between two distinct yet complementary Romantic voices, with Dariescu’s interpretation offering new insights into both works.

In the second movement of Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7, titled “Romanze. Andante non troppo,” Dariescu’s performance is in the Romantic expression. She fully captures the tender, lyrical qualities of the piece, with her phrasing delicately shaped to bring out the emotional depth that Clara imbued in this early composition. Dariescu’s use of rubato is a highlight, allowing the music to breathe naturally, and she maintains a sensitive dialogue with the orchestra, ensuring that the piano and orchestral textures are sonically integrated. Her interpretation reflects her deep understanding and connection to the Romantic style that defines this work.

In the third movement of Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, Dariescu delivers a technically brilliant performance that is still emotionally charged. The “Allegro moderato molto e marcato” demands a combination of virtuosity and interpretive insight, both of which Dariescu exhibits with flair. Her execution of the intricate passagework is precise, yet never mechanical, infusing each phrase with energy and character. Dariescu’s ability to balance the rhythmic drive with lyrical expression is impressive, as she navigates the contrasts within the movement with ease. The powerful cadenza, a hallmark of Grieg’s concerto, is handled with authority, showcasing her deep connection to the Romantic spirit of the piece. Throughout the movement, Dariescu maintains a strong rapport with the orchestra, ensuring that the grandeur and intimacy of Grieg’s music are fully realized.

The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Tianyi Lu, provides a robust and sensitive accompaniment, matching Dariescu’s dynamic interpretation with precision and warmth. Recorded on the 11th and 12th of September 2023 at St Jude’s Church, Central Square, London, under the expert production of Tim Oldham and engineering by Tom Lewington, the recording captures the nuances of the concertos, from the delicate interplay of themes in Schumann’s work to the bold, sweeping gestures of Grieg’s.

In Clara Schumann and Edvard Grieg Piano Concertos, Dariescu not only pays homage to the legacy of these composers but shows she is one of today’s leading interpreters of the Romantic piano repertoire. This album explores the depths of Romantic piano concertos through the lens of a contemporary artist who is deeply connected to the emotional and technical demands of these works.