Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto

[Mandryka]

Serkin/Toscanini. I don't understand that thing about dog biscuits. I had this version on LP. Incandescent. But too tense in the first movement. The sound was not very good but I have heard much worse.

So it sounds like I have a very bad transfer. Mmm -- if anyone has a good "incandescent" version on CD please let me know.

I've never heard the Gilels with Szell.

[prémont]

Why do people prefer Gilels/Ludwig to Gilels/Sanderling? Is it sound? I much prefer the latter, which is more dynamic I think. 

You may be right - I have not (yet) listened to the Gilels/Sanderling. When I get the time I shall compare the Gilels/Ludwig, Gilels/Szell and Gilels/Sanderling.

[prémont]

Why do people prefer Gilels/Ludwig to Gilels/Sanderling? Is it sound? I much prefer the latter, which is more dynamic I think. 

Now I have listened to Gilels/Sanderling, Gilels/Ludwig, Gilels/Szell and Gilels/Masur (the latter from Russian Archives, released by Brilliant).

I agree that concerning Gilels there is little to choose between the Gilels/Sanderling and the Gilels/Ludwig - the recordings are both from the late 1950es. But of the two I prefer the Gilels/Ludwig, because I find the rapport between them better than the rapport between Gilels and Sanderling. Ludwig´s classical and manly view seems to suit Gilels better.

The Gilels/Masur is marred by an uninspiring conductor, and is completely dispensable.

The Gilels/Szell on the other hand is interesting. It reminds me of Arraus late Beethoven sonata set. Everything is calm and rather intense and all details caressed for, and even if this does not correspond to my view upon the concerto, the result is very moving - it sounds like two old and wise men´s last will. So strongly recommended.

[Mandryka]

I've never heard Gilels/Szell but you've made me intrigued. I guess you've heard Arrau/Haitink. For a long time that used to be a firm favourite, though it's ages since I played it.

[mjwal]

My favourite since the first time I heard it (though haven't listened for a while now) is Moravec/Turnovsky. Schnabel/Sargent come to mind too. I'm not a great piano concerto man in general (apart from Mozart and certain moderns) and have not heard many of the mainstream contenders like Brendel, Kovacevitch etc except perhaps on the radio. Wish there were an Annie Fischer w/Klemperer!
Then there's Backhaus/Cantelli (NYC '56) - well, I like Cantelli's phrasing, warmly intense and flexible; Backhaus is all virtuoso power & scintillation (though with some delicacy of touch & even luminosity), interesting contrast. I'm listening to it now and my first (couple of years ago) unfavourable impression of the sound is mitigated - it's quite clear and not too clattery or boomy (however I have to say I think tinnitus, rather at a peak this morning, may be influencing my hearing). The last movement cadenza is a collector's item - almost ironically grim & stormy, yet it eases into the quiet return of theme in the orchestra with nonchalant mastery. It is superior on several counts to what I remember of the Serkin/Toscanini recording, I must say.

[Josquin des Prez]

I generally like Kovacevich/Davis in Beethoven. Their Bartok is also very good, they definitely had a good running with those recordings. I'm somewhat in a minority though since i rarely seem them mentioned, at least in Beethoven.

During the years i went through Gilels, Moravec, Zimerman, Aimard, and Solomon, but eventually i had to settle with Kovacevich. The fact his set also comes bundled with an extremely good recording of the Diabelli also helps. Wonder what happened to the guy, his 70s recordings were great. Not to fond of anything he has done since.

[UberB]

I just listened to the Gilels/Ludwig performance yesterday. Oh my god, I can't believe I didn't warm up to this performance earlier. It is unbelievably exciting and well-played by both Gilels and the orchestra (never mind the obscure conductor), and also very poetic. The first G major chord that opens the piece is really unique. This is much better than the Fleisher/Szell recording, and IMO stands in a class on its own.

For those of you who are used to Gilels' Beethoven sonatas or Brahms concertos with Jochum, you are in for a big surprise. The Gilels/Ludwig performance was recorded in 1957 where Gilels was in his prime, one year earlier than his legendary Brahms 2 with Reiner. The sound is also in stereo and is very fine.

Now to find an equally definitive recording of the Emperor!