Praised by The New York Times for her “clear articulation … unequivocal phrasing … [and] expressivity”, Ingrid Jacoby has established herself as one of the most poetic and admired pianists of her generation. She began her piano studies with Larisa Gorodecka, herself a pupil of Heinrich Neuhaus. Graduating at 16 with highest honours from the St Louis Conservatory of Music, Ingrid Jacoby went on to win the National Baldwin Piano Competition, the Concert Artists Guild International Piano Competition and the Steinway Hall Artists Prize. In America, the National Society of Arts and Letters awarded her one of its highest distinctions, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Her discography includes the world premiere recording of Korngold’s solo piano pieces, works of Gershwin and Bernstein with the Russian National Orchestra, and a recording of the Shostakovich and Ustvolskaya piano concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, which earned the highest commendation from the American Record Guide.

This recording of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 4 marks Ingrid Jacoby’s debut on ICA Classics ‘Live’ series. It also marks the start of a complete cycle of the Beethoven Concertos for ICA Classics which will be released over the next two years.

The CD contains notes by Richard Wigmore in addition to personal insights by Ingrid Jacoby on Beethoven interpretation. Her performances produce many imaginative and individual touches which make these recordings stand out in a crowded catalogue.

The accompaniment by the Sinfonia Varsovia drew the following praise from Martha Argerich: “...they are wonderful, they are one of the best orchestras, not only in Poland. First class.” (August 2009).

Award-winning conductor Jacek Kaspszyk has been Artistic Director of the NFM Wroclaw Philharmonic since 2006 and until recently was also Music Director of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. Here he continues his long association with the Sinfonia Varsovia.

Beautifully recorded in the best digital sound, there is a palpable feeling of the live performance being created in the Witold Lutoslawski Concert Studio.

Witold Lutoslawski Concert Studio of Polish Radio, Warsaw, 30 & 31 July, 2011