TEDD JOSELSON'S COMPANIONSHIP OF CONCERTOS / Review

TEDD JOSELSON’S

COMPANIONSHIP OF CONCERTOS

Tedd Joselson, Piano

Royal Philharmonic

Philharmonia Orchestra

Arthur Fagen, Conductor

Signum Classics 675 / TT: 65’34”

 

The unusual title of this album merits an explanation, as the simple description of Grieg and Rachmaninov Piano Concertos just would not do. This Romantic pairing of Grieg and Rachmaninov is merely two thirds of a trilogy that also includes the Lim Fantasy of Companionship, a work for piano and orchestra (to be covered in another review) that is the brainchild of prominent Singaporean surgeon Susan Lim. Her close friendship with Belgian-American pianist Tedd Joselson, a permanent resident in Singapore, led to the former Horowitz-protege recording all three “companion” piano concertos with three top London orchestras under the direction of American conductor Arthur Fagen.

 

Joselson’s concerto recordings on the RCA Victor label from the 1970s (which include Tchaikovsky No.1, Prokofiev Nos.2 & 3, and Ravel G major) and reissued in a box-set by Sony Classical are already well known. This new album of the Grieg and Rachmaninov No.2, recorded in 2019 at London’s Abbey Road, and released in time for Joselson’s 70^th birthday finds him in irresistibly sizzling form. Years of retirement from active public performance have done little to blunt his interpretive insight and digital prowess.

 

The opening cascade of octaves and chords in the Grieg is full-blooded, delivered fearlessly and without apology. This sets the tone for both concertos where no punches are pulled and no mincing of notes. There is also room for tenderness and lyricism, which is never milked for cheap effect. Joselson avoids the parody of protractedness in the opening solo of Rachmaninov’s Second, instead goes for the jugular. In that respect, the spirit of Rachmaninov’s own recordings is upheld. Ecstatic climaxes are passionate without being overdone. The Royal Philharmonic (Grieg) and The Philharmonia (Rachmaninov) also sound like perfect partners.

 

Collectors will no doubt already have their favourites in this repertoire, Rubinstein, Cliburn, Hough or Andsnes for example, but any pianophile following the career of Tedd Joselson should not be without this coupling - or companionship - to be more precise.