John Pitman Review: Pianist Jan Lisiecki explores Mendelssohn's piano concertos

Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki continues his exploration of, an interest in the different facets of Romanticism, following his Chopin CD with this new one of Mendelssohn's piano concertos. The concertos anchor the CD, but are not the only highlight: Lisiecki tells me (in our conversation), that from the beginning he wanted to incorporate the "Serious Variations", and the "Rondo Capriccioso", which capture your attention with their virtuosity and melodic content. Jan's parents are Polish, and was able to record these works in his adopted country (he has dual citizenship), with New York's Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Lisiecki collaborates with the OCO in such as way that the concertos have the intimacy of chamber music, which lets their various facets shine.