Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 20 & 23

Khatia Buniatishvili’s interpretations of these evergreen piano concertos are dramatic in the best sense, charged with surging emotions, always active, always alive. What counts above all are the infinite contrasts, the tonal light and shade she and her fully engaged companions in the Academy of St Martin in the Fields mine from Mozart’s melodic themes, giving each the personality and presence of flesh-and-blood figures in an opera. Listen, for instance, to how soloist and orchestra confront the initial charm and wistful introspection of the Piano Concerto in D minor’s “Romance” with a central tragicomic villain, part demon, part loveable rogue. Buniatishvili builds an equally compelling vision of the Piano Concerto in A major, conjuring a spectacular richness of expression from her instrument with rare imaginative spontaneity and utterly mesmerising unpredictability. Inside the Album Booklet Historical and cultural background on this album’s music is interspersed with thoughts from Khatia Buniatishvili herself, alongside a selection of imaginative photographs. Album booklets are available in the latest version of Apple Music Classical, which you can download and enjoy as part of your Apple Music subscription. To access booklets, tap on the book icon at the top of your screen.