Many of Sergey Prokofiev's musical inspirations were French, and a light French touch often works well in his piano pieces. With the field open to a new generation for the composer's five piano concertos, this one merits strong consideration. The sparkling Piano Concerto in D flat major, Op. 10, is perhaps the highlight of the whole set here; Bavouzet and conductor Gianandrea Noseda with the BBC Philharmonic achieving a bright, almost ebullient atmosphere. The Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26, cut from the same cloth but with a greater quotient of acidic dissonant humor, is very nearly as good. There's hardly a weak spot throughout: the technically perilous and still-edgy Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16, which occasioned a scandal at its premiere, keeps its threatening quality, and the less common Piano Concerto No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 53, composed for a one-armed pianist, is entirely competent, and the delicate finale of the neo-classic Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, Op. 55, is gorgeous. Strong studio sound and excellent, personal booklet notes from Bavouzet himself are added attractions. Highly recommended.
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