Rafał Blechacz, winner of the 2005 International Chopin Competition, expands his acclaimed discography with Deutsche Grammophon with an album entirely dedicated to the key of C minor—a sonic world the pianist describes as “full of depth, darkness, drama, and strength.”

On “Piano Concertos,” he performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491, and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, accompanied by the Dresden Philharmonic under the baton of Kent Nagano. The program is rounded out by Beethoven’s 32 Variations in C minor, WoO 80, for solo piano.

The recordings were made at the Kulturpalast in Dresden and showcase the close artistic bond between Blechacz and Nagano, which has existed since their first joint performance in 2013.

Both recordings capture the connection between soloist and conductor: “Power, focus, and concentration—paired with subtlety and elegance—are the qualities and values I feel most strongly when working with Maestro Nagano,” says Blechacz. “I find them equally present in these two magnificent concerts… Perhaps that is why [our interpretations] unfolded so naturally, harmoniously, and inspired!”

Tracklisting:

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491

1.       I. Allegro
2.       II. Larghetto
3.       III. Allegretto

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37
4. I. Allegro con brio
5. II. Largo
6. III. Allegro

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
32 Variations in C Minor, WoO 80
7. Theme + Variations 1–2
8. Variations 3–5
9. Variations 6–8
10. Variations 9–11
11. Variations 12–13
12. Variations 14–16
13. Variations 17–18
14. Variations 19–21
15. Variations 22–24
16. Variations 25–27
17. Variations 28–30
18. Variations 31–32

Kent Nagano

Mozart, Beethoven: Piano Concertos in C-Minor