Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite 1; Peer Gynt Suite 2; Piano Concerto; Lyric Suite; From Holberg's Time; Lyric Pieces Opp. 12 & 43; Symphonic Dances

COMPOSERS: Grieg
LABELS: Philips
WORKS: Peer Gynt Suite 1; Peer Gynt Suite 2; Piano Concerto; Lyric Suite; From Holberg’s Time; Lyric Pieces Opp. 12 & 43; Symphonic Dances
PERFORMER: Stephen Kovacevich, Zoltán Kocsis (piano); BBC SO/ECO/Philharmonia Orchestra/Colin Davis, Raymond Leppard
CATALOGUE NO: 438 380-2 ADD (2 discs) (1971-82)

Grieg and Raymond Leppard might seem unlikely partners, and yet the best performances on these compilation discs come from Leppard and the ECO in the Lyric Suite and From Holberg’s Time. A poor sound balance in the Piano Concerto with Stephen Kovacevich underlines a somewhat brash performance with moments of poor ensemble. Zoltán Kocsis’s Lyric Pieces contain magical moments. Annette Morreau