"Delicious" comment

[Rach3]

Pianist Steven Osborne, on trying to put together a chamber recital containing both Beethoven and Ravel on the programme, said he tried and thinks perhaps there is a way he could not find, but for him Beethoven and Ravel together would have been "horrible " , like " putting chocolate on your steak."

About 50:00 in here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000v8qc

From BBC: " In March, the acclaimed Scottish pianist with a worldwide reputation celebrated his birthday( 50th) in the company of a distinguished line-up of musical friends and two of his favourite composers."

Recorded at Wigmore Hall and introduced by Kate Molleson.

Schubert: The Shepherd on the Rock D965
Ailish Tynan (soprano)
Jean Johnson (clarinet)
Steven Osborne (piano)

Fantasy in F minor D940
Steven Osborne & Paul Lewis (piano)

Interval, including Aaron Jay Kernis: Musica Celestis

Ravel: La vallée des cloches (Miroirs)
Steven Osborne (piano)

Piano Trio in A minor
Alina Ibragimova (violin)
Bjørg Lewis (cello)
Steven Osborne (piano)

[maestrob]

Pianist Steven Osborne, on trying to put together a chamber recital containing both Beethoven and Ravel on the programme, said he tried and thinks perhaps there is a way he could not find, but for him Beethoven and Ravel together would have been "horrible " , like " putting chocolate on your steak."

About 50:00 in here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000v8qc

From BBC: " In March, the acclaimed Scottish pianist with a worldwide reputation celebrated his birthday( 50th) in the company of a distinguished line-up of musical friends and two of his favourite composers."

Recorded at Wigmore Hall and introduced by Kate Molleson.

Schubert: The Shepherd on the Rock D965
Ailish Tynan (soprano)
Jean Johnson (clarinet)
Steven Osborne (piano)

Fantasy in F minor D940
Steven Osborne & Paul Lewis (piano)

Interval, including Aaron Jay Kernis: Musica Celestis

Ravel: La vallée des cloches (Miroirs)
Steven Osborne (piano)

Piano Trio in A minor
Alina Ibragimova (violin)
Bjørg Lewis (cello)
Steven Osborne (piano)

I'm a fan of Ibragimova's so it was good to hear her with Osborne together. Don't know the cellist, but he was OK in the Ravel.

Good concert, especially in the Schubert with Paul Lewis. Many thanks, Rach3!

[Rach3]

I forgot to mention the clarinetist is Osborne's wife. I,too,am a fan of Ibragimova , as well as Osborne, Paul Lewis not as much.

[barney]

I really like Paul Lewis. Will listen to this soon.

[mikealdren]

Bjørg Lewis is Paul's wife and, amongst other things, also the cellist in the Vertavo quartet.

[Rach3]

Bjørg Lewis is Paul's wife and, amongst other things, also the cellist in the Vertavo quartet.

Thanks. I had found the reference to her quartet , but not to Paul Lewis.

[maestrob]

I forgot to mention the clarinetist is Osborne's wife. I,too,am a fan of Ibragimova , as well as Osborne, Paul Lewis not as much.

What is it about Paul Lewis that you're not keen on?

I've got some problems with his hastily-recorded Beethoven Sonatas cycle, but everything else I've heard from him, especially the Beethoven Concertos, has been really fine.

I do wish he hadn't been learning the sonatas as he was recording them. Some of those were recorded before Lewis had worked out the technical problems, and that shows in his awkward playing. Not a set I'd recommend at all, but then I'm critical of Kempff's stereo box for DGG as well.

[Rach3]

What is it about Paul Lewis that you're not keen on?

While Lewis’ playing is meticulous, and sincere, I usually do not find it very interesting or inspiring. Too many pianists try to be “ original” without true conviction , especially in oft played works, and such affected playing is tiresome or artificial.Lewis does not make that mistake, but perhaps he needs to give freer rein to his emotions and the moment's inspiration rather than trying to achieve perfection. I’d usually rather listen to some of Kempff or some of early Brendel instead. Of cousre, very subjective, just my ears, and I have not heard close to all Lewis’ playing or recordings.

[Rach3]

More from Steven Osborne, a Library of Congress sponsored recent recital,March ,2021 perhaps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh77vIgZsZI Live good quality video, 1:20:00

Introductions to all works by Osborne.He leaves the Steinway D lid down for the Debussy.

Remarkable playing.

Debussy: Suite bergamasque
Debussy: Image oubliées
Rachmaninoff: Prelude in D minor (op. posth.)

Rachmaninoff: Fragments

Rachmaninoff: Oriental Sketch
Rachmaninoff/Osborne: Nunc dimittis from the All-Night Vigil, op. 37

Rachmaninoff: Piano Sonata no. 1 in D minor, op. 28 ( Music for our time, per Osborne )