Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos 1 & 2

Copy at Case Memorial Library
Anthony Tommasini wrote in the New York Times: "I grew up with Rudolf Serkin’s exuberant recordings of the two Mendelssohn piano concertos, and there are many other good ones. I especially admire the 2001 release by the French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, with Herbert Blomstedt conducting the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, an ensemble once directed by Mendelssohn. Mr. Thibaudet brings his trademark brio, elegance and impeccable technique to these spirited, youthful works. In addition, the exceptional clarity of his playing allows the ingenuity of the contrapuntal writing to come through. Mendelssohn was a devotee of Bach. And the recording includes Mr. Thibaudet’s brilliant accounts of two Mendelssohn solo works: the 'Variations Sérieuses' and the 'Rondo Capriccioso'" ("Mendelssohn Favorites Offer …," 1/30/09).
Wilfred Blunt wrote in On Wings of Song: "His second piano concerto … when played by a great pianist … is enormously impressive, and it was not for nothing that a London audience applauded for ten minutes after a performance of it there by the composer in 1843" (pp. 192-193).