This is the kind of theoretically enterprising and enjoyable disc that I really want to recommend–but alas I cannot. All three of these concertos are busy, neo-classical pieces, and two pianos are never easy to record; but the duo of Genova and Dimitrov plays all three works in a loud, insensitive, heavy manner that’s totally at odds with the idiom. Just listen to the two pianists bash their way through the outer movements of the Poulenc, or notice the “in your face” quality of the Milhaud (whose music has plenty of this already and certainly doesn’t need extra help). Alun Francis and the Kaiserslautern orchestra are nothing special either, accompanying dutifully but with little character or (so it would seem) enthusiasm. Their contribution isn’t helped by one of the rare poor recordings from the SWR engineers, overly bright in the treble and lacking both bass and warmth. It’s great to see the Milhaud and Casadesus works getting some attention on disc, but these performances could have been, and should have been, much better.
