The Clara Haskil Competition was founded in 1963; it takes place every two years in Vevey, where Clara Haskil lived from 1942 until her death in 1960. At the end of the concert finale in the Stravinsky Auditorium in Montreux on 13 September 1999 Finghin Collins was announced the winner of this year’s competition. «The 22 year old Irish musician earned his victory performing Bee-tho-ven’s third piano concerto in C minor.

Collins’ playing was characterized by maturity and technical perfection, a delicate touch and clear articulation, and a wonderful balance between dramatic impetus and tranquil lyricism. It was impressive to see and hear how Collins integrated inner composure, precision of attack and musical reflection into his performance.»

(Der Bund)

Mozart’s Concerto in A Major, KV 414, is sophisticated, elegant and structured along clear, traditional lines. Its chamber qualities evident throughout, whether in the sparkling instrumental dialogue of the Allegro, the rich lyricism and tender emotions of the central movement, or the white flame of enthusiasm which dances in the concluding Allegretto. Finghin Collins is accompanied in this work by a string quintet of members of the OCL. While Ludwig van Beethoven’s first two piano concertos belong to an early stylistic period, his Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37, displays a far greater command of technical resources and a more profound form of musical expression.

The «Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung» wrote at the time that «this concerto is unquestionably among Beethoven’s most beautiful compositions». The Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne is directed by Emmanuel Krivine in this live recording.