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Album: James Rhodes, Jimmy: Live in Brighton (Signum Classics)

 

Andy Gill
Friday 18 May 2012 12:28 BST
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With his wild hair and stubble, James Rhodes is the Russell Brand of the piano, though he could cut back on the swearing in his laddish but informative introductions highlighting Beethoven's “interiority”, Chopin's adolescent crushes etc.

Moszkowski's complex Etude in F major he describes as like the manual for a Formula One car, and certainly, you can imagine it easily getting away from you. But as soon as he stops talking and starts playing, misgivings evaporate as he brings his natural dynamism and considerable talent to bear. Particularly impressive is his signature opener, the limpid Adagio from Marcello's Concerto No 3.

Download: Adagio from Concerto No 3; Etude in F major; Chaconne from Violin Partita No 2

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