Sergei Prokofiev, Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 5

This+is+the+third+live+%26amp%3B+session+recording+series+of+Sydney+Symphony+and+Mr.+Ashkenazy%26%2339%3Bs+%26quot%3BComposer+Festival%26quot%3B%2C+featuring+Prokofiev+in+2009%2C+following+Rachmaninov+%282007%29+and+Elgar+%282008%29.+This+Prokofiev+series+also+includes+complete+piano+concertos+with+Russian+pianist+Alexander+Gavrylyuk.+%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3EUnderneath+Prokofiev%26rsquo%3Bs+cheeky+wit%2C+sarcasm+and+brilliance+was+a+romantic+soul%2C+which+audiences+will+discover+in+his+Third+Piano+Concerto.+This+is+why+he+Third+Piano+Concerto%2C+the+romantic+Prokofiev+shines+through+when+Alexander+Gavrylyuk+joins+Ashkenazy+and+the+Sydney+Symphony.+Prokofiev+was+capable+of+lyrical+and+irresistible+melodies.+And+then+the+unusual+Fifth+Piano+Concerto%2C+with+its+five+movements+shimmering+like+a+string+of+finely+cut+jewels.+%28source%3A+Sydney+Symphony+Orchestra%29%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3E%26quot%3BProkofiev%26%2339%3Bs+first%2C+third+and+fifth+piano+concertos+are+some+of+the+most+ferociously+taxing+in+the+repertory.+Gavrylyuk+easily+surmounted+their+challenges+with+a+seductive+mixture+of+brilliance+and+sensitivity.+Relentless+torrents+of+notes+and+chords+were+not+only+dispatched+with++stunning+speed%2C+power%2C+clarity+and+precision.+They+were+also+shaped++with+purpose+and+insight.+By+contrast%2C+Gavrylyuk%26%2339%3Bs+deft+lightness++of+touch%2C+rhythmic+alertness%2C+and+tonal+variety+%28sparklingly+bright+in++faster+passages%3B+warmly+refined+in+slower%2C+softer+sections%29+captured++Prokofiev%26%2339%3Bs+trademark+moments+of+wistful+introspection+and+mercurial++playfulness.%26quot%3B-+%3Cstrong%3EThe+Australian%3C%2Fstrong%3E+about+the+performance+in+the+concerts%2Flive+recordings+for+this+cd%3Cbr+%2F%3E