Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos
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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.Free Music Review: Beethoven's Piano Concerti - Brendel
Hit: 5 Stars
I had this years ago on cassette tape but they got clapped out from playing them so much. This set is a real joy, tremendous rapport between all parties involved. Rarely has a live performance been so full of life! Free Music Review: Academic and expressive
Hit: 5 Stars
Alfred Brendel is probably the most knowledgeable Beethoven interpreter that we have seen in the past half century along with Richard Goode. It also helps that he is a phenomenal pianist and chamber musician. When listening to these performances I got a sense of a warmer more intimate ideal for the works, not everywhere, it was as soloistic as these need to be, but the connection between melody and accompaniment was very well balanced right on par with Fleisher and Szell. Levine gives the music everything it needs and the Chicago Symphony plays wonderfully. The live recording gives these works a wonderful atmosphere and the audience is reverently silent. If you want to seek out individual performances of these concertos by all means do it but for a box set of them all I would recommend this as well as his more recent with Rattle, as well as Fleisher and Arrau. All of them are wonderful however this is by far the best live recording of these works. Highly recommendedFree Music Review: Not first tier, but pretty decent nonetheless
Hit: 4 Stars
Echoing another reviewer, I don't believe Brendel's third go-round with the Beethoven concerto cycle is on a par with Arrau or Ashkenazy, but it is by far Brendel's best effort, demonstrating lyricism that, unfortunately, one cannot always depend on. It is a worthy addition to the serious music lover's collection, although I would not want to make it my only resource for the Beethoven concerti.Free Music Review: A Warmer, More Expressive Brendel
Hit: 5 Stars
Alfred Brendel doesn't come across as a meticulous craftsman, but instead, as a lyrical, joyful interpreter of Beethoven in this version of Beethoven's piano concerto cycle which he recorded with James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the CSO's Ravinia Festival in the early 1980's. While this won't replace my recordings of Arrau, Perahia, Kovacevich or Ashkenazy performing these concerti, Brendel's third traversal is one of the best performed - and recorded - versions currently available. His warm, expressive playing reaches its peak in the last two concerti. Both Levine and the CSO are admirable, sympathetic accompanists. If you are looking for your first set of Beethoven piano concertos or your latest, then you certainly won't go wrong with these fine performances.
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