Christian Zacharias

„An outstanding instrumental soloist who is also brilliant conductor is hard to come by. However, Christian Zacharias of Germany is one such exceptional talent – a well versed, intelligent pianist on the one hand and a conductor with a broad repertoire, including opera, on the other.“ (BZ Basel, Alfred Ziltener, 11 May 2015) With his distinctive combination of integrity, unique style, surpassing linguistic expressiveness, deep musical insight and assured artistic instinct paired with his charismatic and captivating personality, Christian Zacharias has made a name for himself not only as one of the world’s leading pianists and conductors, but also as a musical thinker.

Domenico Scarlatti - Christian Zacharias, Piano - Sonatas
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 181 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: MDG "Gold" # 340 1162-2 | Country/Year: Germany 2003
Genre: Classical | Style: Baroque

Has been one of the best musical discoveries I've had: those of Scarlatti Sonatas, the interpretation of Christian Zacharias and the MDG label. A superb full of poetry with a unique sound abosultamente crystal clear. A disc highly recommended for lovers of classical music for piano.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Concertos Nos. 20 & 21
Christian Zacharias, piano / Sinfonie-Orchester des Bayrischen Rundfunks / David Zinman
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 213 MB | Full Artwork: 60 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: EMI # 7243 5 74676 2 9 | Country/Year: Germany 2001, 1989/1992
Genre: Classical | Style: Viennese School

…Zacharias began recording for EMI the following year, and would, by 1997, make over 40 albums for the label, covering a broad range of repertory, including Mozart (complete concertos and sonatas), Beethoven (complete concertos), Scarlatti, Schubert, Schumann, and many others. Despite great success throughout the 1980s and early '90s in his keyboard career, Zacharias decided to take up conducting in 1992. His debut was in Geneva with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande…

Six piano concertos in a mere twelve months: in no other year was Mozart as productive in this genre as he was in 1784. Christian Zacharias and his Lausanne Chamber Orchestra have taken considerably more time with their interpretations of Mozart’s piano concertos – and with sensational results. This complete recording even now promises to occupy one of the top ranks on international lists: Zacharias is able perfectly and seamlessly to transfer his inimitable touch and sound culture to the orchestra.

Will listeners raised on virtuoso performances of Mozart’s piano concertos be able to make room in the hearts for Christian Zacharias’ recordings with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne? It depends on how willing they are to forego the pleasures of virtuosity for the pleasures music-making. This is not to say that Zacharias isn’t a virtuoso pianist. As his 20 years of recordings make very clear, he has talents & abilities far beyond those of most mortal pianists.

This box set packages the prizewinning complete edition of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart s piano concertos which were recorded with Christian Zacharias and the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne over the past 12 years.
With his distinctive combination of integrity, unique style, surpassing linguistic expressiveness, deep musical insight and assured artistic instinct paired with his charismatic and captivating personality, Christian Zacharias has made a name for himself not only as one of the world s leading pianists and conductors, but also as a musical thinker. Beginning as a pianist and later moving on to work as a conductor as well, his international career burgeoned through numerous widely acclaimed concerts with the world s leading orchestras, renowned conductors not to mention several awards and recordings.

This release picks up where the previous volumes have left off & one cannot really fault the playing in any way.
Listening to this disc is almost pure pleasure for tempo choices, balances between piano, orchestra & the respective sections are as close to ideal as one could wish to hear on modern instruments. The phrasing is also pleasingly refined & not in the least Romantic but of course contains much beauty & ardour in the famous slow movement to the 21st concerto. The only grumble is the cadenza that Zacharias composed for the 1st movement of the 21st concerto – it tries to be a little too clever & doesn’t quite work for this listener; a shame, for those in the 3rd movement are exquisite.

With his distinctive combination of integrity, unique style, surpassing linguistic expressiveness, deep musical insight and assured artistic instinct paired with his charismatic and captivating personality, Christian Zacharias has made a name for himself not only as one of the world’s leading pianists and conductors, but also as a musical thinker.

In this 3rd volume, Zacharias’ Mozart becomes essential, if not quintessential, in a universe for piano & concerto that is fascinating. The Concerto for Piano & Orchestra #17 in G major KV 453 dates from 1784, & inspired the musician Alfred Einstein to say: “In a friendly key are hidden many mysterious smiles & painful wounds – words cannot be found to describe the permanent irisation of feelings in the 1st movement, the passionate interiority of the 2nd.”