Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos
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Music CD Cover
Composer: Ludwig van BeethovenConductor: James Levine
Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Performer: Alfred Brendel
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1997-07-15
Music Label: Philips
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
- Piano Concerto No. 1 In C, Op. 15: I. Allegro con brio
- Piano Concerto No. 1 In C, Op. 15: II. Largo
- Piano Concerto No. 1 In C, Op. 15: III. Rondo: Allegro scherzando
- Piano Concerto No. 2 In B-Flat, Op. 19: I. Allegro con brio
- Piano Concerto No. 2 In B-Flat, Op. 19: II. Adagio
- Piano Concerto No. 2 In B-Flat, Op. 19: III. Rondo: Molto allegro
- Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37: I. Allegro con brio
- Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37: II. Largo
- Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37: III. Rondo: Allegro
- Piano Concerto No. 4 In G, Op. 58: I. Allegro moderato
- Piano Concerto No. 4 In G, Op. 58: II. Andante con moto
- Piano Concerto No. 4 In G, Op. 58: III. Rondo: Vivace
- Piano Concert No. 5 In E-Flat, Op. 73 'The Emperor': I. Allegro
- Piano Concert No. 5 In E-Flat, Op. 73 'The Emperor': II. Adagio un poco mosso
- Piano Concert No. 5 In E-Flat, Op. 73 'The Emperor': III. Rondo: Allegro
Free Music Notes for Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos
Free Music Review: Refreshing
Hit: 5 Stars
It should come as no surprise that Alfred Brendel has important things to say about Beethoven. He has been doing so on recordings for almost half a century. This set is continually interesting. I don't think I've ever heard a Beethoven Concerto cycle that holds your interest so compellingly throughout. There are a few drawbacks, however. The recordings were made in Orchestra Hall, Chicago, and the dry acoustic seems to have given the engineers some problems. The orchestra sounds full toned and clear, but there is no resonance to the sound. Likewise, Brendel's tone comes across as somewhat clattery in fortes, not at all like I remember from hearing him in concert. I suspect this is the engineers' doing, too. Nevertheless, the gain in concentration and excitement from recording these performances live is clearly palpable. Brendel and Levine are hand in glove, which is really saying something given Brendel's range of expression. The highlight of the set, I think, is No. 3, where the play of light and shade fits well with Brendel's intellect and sense of Beethoven's darker side. All the concerti are among the best ever recorded, although, except for the 3rd, I could easily cite other preferences, including Richter/Munch in 1, Fleisher/Szell in 2, Arrau/Haitink in 4, and perhaps (don't make me stick to it) Cliburn/Reiner in the Emperor--which sounded much better on LP that on CD. However, for one pianist's take on the entire series, Brendel/Levine is hard to beat.
Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos Poster
Recorded live in 1983, Alfred Brendel's third go-round with these works drastically improves on his previous Beethoven concerto cycles. He finds a calmer, more direct route to the Emperor Concerto, although the Fourth's first movement is still pock-marked with finicky phrase adjustments that pull focus from the music's poetic arcs. Levine provides sympathetic and alert support, yet is much more than a mere deferential accompanist. --Jed DistlerClassical Music CDs
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