British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason has recorded an album of works by Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. So far, it has been very consistent. The longest work is Fanny’s Easter Sonata, followed by Felix’s First Piano Concerto with the London Mozart Players under Jonathan Bloxham. Especially in the concert finale, Kanneh-Mason acts a bit too forcefully, at the expense of the fine lines. Pearly and convincingly light in contrast to his brilliant finish. It is therefore somewhat surprising that the Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream sounds rather quiet and reserved, almost shy. Overall, the vocal lines could benefit from more breathing and roundness. In addition to the three arrangements, there are two songs without lyrics by Felix and a quiet song by Fanny that conclude the new recording. Overall, the impression remains inconsistent, even when it comes to the selected works.
© Carolina Vilocha
Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1, Songs Without Words, Op. 67/2, and Op. 67/6, Hensel: Nocturne in G minor and Easter Sonata, Mendelssohn/Moszkovsky/Rachmaninoff: Nocturne and Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mendelssohn/Liszt: On the Wings of Song
Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), London Mozart Players, Jonathan Bloxham (conductor)
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