Johann Strauss II – Waltzes and Polkas for Four Hands
Matthieu Idmtal & Alessandro Deljavan — Pavane Records (release: 7 november 2025)
With this new release, Pavane brings a sparkling and exceptionally refined interpretation of Johann Strauss II in the intimate form of four-hand piano playing. Matthieu Idmtal and Alessandro Deljavan resolutely choose the original piano versions of Strauss' most celebrated waltzes and polkas, and let us hear how refined, colorful and musically rich these works are when approached with conviction by two experienced artists.
The duo forms a homogeneous sound from the outset. Idmtal, who has distinguished himself for years through his poetic approach to the Romantic repertoire, and Deljavan, an internationally seasoned performer with an impressive artistic career and enormous stylistic versatility, find each other in a performance that sounds as spontaneous as it is thoughtful. Their phrasing is fluid, their timing precise and their mutual communication effortless. As a result, the music acquires a naturally breathing lightness without losing depth.
The waltzes and polkas that made Strauss famous worldwide unfold in this recording with elegant transparency. In works such as Wiener Blut and Frühlingsstimmen, both pianists let the melodic lines sing warmly and lyrically, while the subtle rhythmic quality remains clear throughout. The polkas sparkle with energy and finesse, with playful articulation that never sounds rushed. In Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, the richness of color is particularly striking: Idmtal and Deljavan bring an almost orchestral subtlety of nuances that effortlessly guides the listener through the piece's changing character.
The recording itself is clear, well-balanced and detailed, so that every nuance of touch and dynamics comes across beautifully. The choice to devote the entire playing time to these original four-hand versions proves particularly successful, because the listener can thus directly experience how Strauss' dance music sounded in the context for which it was originally intended: lively, sparkling and with an intimate elegance that is sometimes lost on a large orchestral stage.
What truly distinguishes this CD is the careful combination of technical mastery, musical intuition and stylistic understanding. Idmtal and Deljavan demonstrate that the charm of Strauss does not rest on glitter or bravura, but on subtly balanced phrasing, rhythmic refinement and a playful, understated melancholy. Their collaboration makes this recording a warm, attractive and particularly convincing whole.
This Strauss tribute shows how rich and expressive four-hand piano repertoire can be when in the hands of two pianists who seamlessly blend their musical insights with each other. The result is a recording that exudes charm, gleams with musical craftsmanship and makes Strauss' music shine again in all its elegance.