Mozart: Pno Cons Vol. 12 [CD], Jean Bavouzet -Efflam, CD

Jean-Efflam Bovouzet's acclaimed cycle of Mozart's piano concertos reaches it's conclusion with this twelfth volume. The programme offers a suitably celebratory mood: the Overtures to Idomeneo and La finta semplice frame the A major and D major Rondos for piano and orchestra and the Concerto for three pianos, and ends with the double piano concerto. Bavouzet comments: 'As one reaches the conclusion of a series of recordings that has stretched over a long period of time, the feeling of fulness at having arrived at one's goal always blends with an immediate sense of nostalgia for the recording sessions, marvellous moments engaged in the search for a truth that always remains beyond reach. After a span of nine years, we arrive at the end of this complete recording project with the devoted members of Manchester Camerata and my friend Gabor Takacs-Nagy. Gabor's plan to combine them with operatic overtures was certainly most appealing, but the task of playing the entirety of this enormous corpus of concertos seemed to me gigantic! And then a few considerations very quickly made me conscious that a rare opportunity now presented itself to me, which it would have been ill-advised to pass up: this intense musical fellowship with Gabor and the joy of making music with him, the excellence of the members of Manchester Camerata and their untiring energy and suppleness in accepting our continual musical 'experimentations', and, finally, the wonderful chance for once in my life to have at my side a born, inspiring Mozartian, my wife, Andrea Nemecz.'