Any suggestions? I have none, really :-[ Well, I enjoyed Edwin Fischer on Testament last time I heard him. I also enjoy Pollini's early recording - one of the few Pollini recordings I like, although I suspect there are more sublime versions out there. So what are your suggestions for great versions?
Any of the below might fit the bill:
A Fischer / Fricsay (DG)
Moravec / Neumann (Supraphon)
Sherman / Neumann (Vanguard)
Kempff / van Kempen (DG)
Schnabel / Sargent (Various)
Haskil / Markevitch (Philips/Decca)
Kuerti / Davis (CBC)
A couple of alternatives:
As much as I want to be trendy and despise her, I can't help but like Uchida with Sanderling.
I also like Bronfman with Zinman.
These are just personal tastes. I claim neither encyclopedic familiarity with recordings nor definitive knowledge of "greatness."
I'm not acquainted with most of those Todd recommends. Can't say I've ever really warmed to Arrau or Fleischer, though Szell/Gilels is okay. Kempff/van Kempen didn't blow me away as expected but I'm due for another go. I also expected magic from Goode/Fischer but didn't hear it. And if I wanted a new cycle I might consider Aimard/Harnoncourt. The thing is, every time I'm hot to get a new set, I play Uchida and Bronfman and find that I'm already well satisfied.
Uchida is my favorite, followed closely by Harnoncourt.
Quote from: Todd on October 10, 2010, 02:28:06 PM
Moravec / Neumann (Supraphon)
Wow. This is one that escaped me. Thanks for the mention.
For me:
Katchen/Gamba (Decca).
I liked Ashkenazy/Solti more than I expected to.
Quote from: Todd on October 10, 2010, 02:28:06 PM
Any of the below might fit the bill:
A Fischer / Fricsay (DG)
Moravec / Neumann (Supraphon)
Sherman / Neumann (Vanguard)
Kempff / van Kempen (DG)
Schnabel / Sargent (Various)
Haskil / Markevitch (Philips/Decca)
Kuerti / Davis (CBC)
Thanks very much. Lots of recordings to explore here, since I'm unfamiliar with all of those except the Kempff and the Annie Fischer - given that Kempff is my favorite in Beethoven 5, I have to give him another spin as well.
Quote from: DavidRoss on October 10, 2010, 03:39:56 PM
A couple of alternatives:
As much as I want to be trendy and despise her, I can't help but like Uchida with Sanderling.
I also like Bronfman with Zinman.
These are just personal tastes. I claim neither encyclopedic familiarity with recordings nor definitive knowledge of "greatness."
I'm not acquainted with most of those Todd recommends. Can't say I've ever really warmed to Arrau or Fleischer, though Szell/Gilels is okay. Kempff/van Kempen didn't blow me away as expected but I'm due for another go. I also expected magic from Goode/Fischer but didn't hear it. And if I wanted a new cycle I might consider Aimard/Harnoncourt. The thing is, every time I'm hot to get a new set, I play Uchida and Bronfman and find that I'm already well satisfied.
Thanks! I'm rather curious about the Uchida/Sanderling now. I could imagine that this work might suit Uchida were well.
Quote from: Philoctetes on October 10, 2010, 03:56:50 PM
Uchida is my favorite, followed closely by Harnoncourt.
Another vote for Uchida - makes me even more curious..
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on October 10, 2010, 06:57:39 PM
For me:
Katchen/Gamba (Decca).
This is available cheaply as an mp3 via amazon, along with the other concertos apart from No 4. I guess I have to try it.
Quote from: Scarpia on October 10, 2010, 07:41:14 PM
I liked Ashkenazy/Solti more than I expected to.
I often like Ashkenazy. I do have a problem with Solti, though I guess the pianist is more important here.
There are a number of good versions of this, some already mentioned. I would add:
Kovacevich/Davis
Serkin/Bernstein
Solomon/Menges
Perahia/Haitink
Annie Fischer/Fricsay
I have a Moravec recorded with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic conducted by Imre Pallo which I really like. It was played live in 1983.
The is the last classical-style concerto to be written, right?
My favourite is Berezowsky/Dausgaard, because it is classical, witty. Brio.
I also like Moiseiwitsch/Sargent (which has the Reinicke cadenza) because Mosieiwitsch is a very beautiful Beethoven pianist
Quote from: Verena on October 10, 2010, 09:26:00 PM
I often like Ashkenazy. I do have a problem with Solti, though I guess the pianist is more important here.
Solti is far from my favorite conductor, but he is rarely out of line when accompanying a soloist, and this is music that calls for more brio than subtlety anyway.
Quote from: Holden on October 11, 2010, 02:53:48 AM
Annie Fischer/Fricsay
I will third this one. A stellar performance. You know where to find me,
Verena. 8)
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on October 10, 2010, 06:57:39 PM
Wow. This is one that escaped me. Thanks for the mention.
OOP, I think. :-[
Quote from: Scarpia on October 11, 2010, 08:14:50 AM
Solti is far from my favorite conductor, but he is rarely out of line when accompanying a soloist, and this is music that calls for more brio than subtlety anyway.
Yeah, that's true.
Quote from: ukrneal on October 10, 2010, 11:54:13 PM
There are a number of good versions of this, some already mentioned. I would add:
Kovacevich/Davis
Serkin/Bernstein
Serkin is one of my favorite pianists, another one I have to try. I'm relatively unfamiliar with Kovacevich - but I read good things about his Beethoven 5th concerto with Davis as well.
Quote from: Mandryka on October 11, 2010, 07:38:47 AM
The is the last classical-style concerto to be written, right?
My favourite is Berezowsky/Dausgaard, because it is classical, witty. Brio.
I also like Moiseiwitsch/Sargent (which has the Reinicke cadenza) because Mosieiwitsch is a very beautiful Beethoven pianist
Thanks! I bet the Moiseiwitsch is great. I'm also curious about the Berezowsky.
Quote from: Holden on October 11, 2010, 02:53:48 AM
Solomon/Menges
Perahia/Haitink
Annie Fischer/Fricsay
I have a Moravec recorded with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic conducted by Imre Pallo which I really like. It was played live in 1983.
Did that Moravec recording ever appear on CD?
Quote from: Verena on October 11, 2010, 10:10:49 AM
Thanks! I bet the Moiseiwitsch is great.
Ditto.
Here's a review from the Penguin Guide:
Moiseiwitsch's are performances of stature. The Emperor with Szell and the LPO comes from 1938 and long enjoyed classic status. The Third has had a favourable press in its new incarnation—and rightly so. Moiseiwitsch's playing in the slow movement is poetic and magisterial, and Ward Marston has returned to the original tapes rather than to the shellac dubbings, so the sound is exceptionally good for the period. Moiseiwitsch was hailed in the USA as 'a veritable aristocrat of the keyboard' but was underrated here in the 1950s. This CD leaves no doubts as to his wonderful pianism and his depth of insight.(I really need to just go ahead and buy all of the volumes in that Naxos series already)
Quote from: George on October 11, 2010, 10:25:10 AM
(I really need to just go ahead and buy all of the volumes in that Naxos series already)
That would be a good idea. I have a big chunk of them, and I can't think of one dud. That written, I can't say his recording of the Third is tip-top tier stuff. More like second tier.
Quote from: Verena on October 11, 2010, 10:04:37 AM
Serkin is one of my favorite pianists, another one I have to try. I'm relatively unfamiliar with Kovacevich - but I read good things about his Beethoven 5th concerto with Davis as well.
Serkin also did one on Telarc with the BSO/Ozawa. I've never heard this one, so don't know how it compares (but it was at Berkshire last I saw).
Quote from: Scarpia on October 11, 2010, 08:14:50 AM
Solti is far from my favorite conductor, but he is rarely out of line when accompanying a soloist, and this is music that calls for more brio than subtlety anyway.
You may well be right about this, but the Ashkenazy/Solti Beethoven cycle has simply never done anything for me. It was the darling of audiophiles when it first came out, back in analog days, and it was frequently used to demo equipment at the hi-fi shop run by good friends of mine in the late '70s and through much of the '80s, but try as I might, I've never been able to warm up to the performances. (Same applies to the Solti Beethoven symphony cycle.) At this point, however, it's been at least a decade or more since I last tried to listen to their endeavors, and my taste has changed a bit in other ways, so perhaps it's time for me to revisit the recordings once more.
Meanwhile, I'll stick by my tried and true recommendations:
Annie Fischer/Fricsay. Back in my earliest days of concerto listening, when I thought I'd never be able to appreciate much of Beethoven's piano concerti beyond the Emperor and the 4th, this was THE performance that made me break through from "meh!" to "marvelous!" with the 3rd. Phrasing, pacing, interplay between soloist and orchestra, everything seems just right to my ears. And in its original LP format, it was paired with two Mozart rondos that were performed with equal warmth and, if anything, even greater beauty and affection...and the result was a profound appreciation for Annie Fischer's artistry (I was already aware of what Fricsay could do). Someone at DGG should really put these performances on a short list to be released on their Originals. Now, I can't expect you to necessarily react with the same gushing praise...my epiphany may not be your own...but since I put this performance at the top of my list, I figured you'd want to know why. By the way, I refer to the DGG studio recording, not the live 1957 performance on Palexa (I do have that one, it's just fine, but not at the same level as the DGG).
Once I made this breakthrough, I found other performances that I still like a great deal, and several have already been named: Solomon/Menges and Haskil/Markevitch, both superb. The early and still-hyphenated (Bishop-)Kovacevich with Davis is one I've known for decades--at least as long as the Ashkenazy/Solti--but whose felicities have only recently become more obvious to me. I'm very late to the performance of Perahia and Haitink...only recently bought a copy and have only listened once (!) and still need to hear it some more to evaluate fairly. Some of the "usual suspects" do an admirable job in their respective cycles (Fleisher/Szell, Gilels/Szell, Kempff/van Kempen) but not quite amazing enough to stand out over other contenders. There's a Rudolf Serkin version I like, too, but it's on vinyl and I'm not at home to check on who the conductor was (however, I know it wasn't Serkin's very late digital recording)...Bernstein? Ormandy?
Two that I wish I could gush about more: Richter and Gilels. I love both of these pianists, and both of them have done the 3rd on more than one occasion, but what I've heard seems "only" very good...possibly very, very good...and not what I consider great. Yes, I mentioned Gilels above, but his 3rds don't come close to the amazing 4th he did with Ludwig...alas! In similar fashion, I purchased the Moravec/Neumann on original vinyl 20-some years back, expecting the pianist to deliver chops similar to his very fine 4ths; instead, I found the performance quirky...and for some time, wasn't sure whether I liked it or not. However, at this point, it has survived multiple purges in my vinyl collection, so I guess I DO like it (quite a bit, actually)...but wouldn't recommend it as an only or primary choice.
And just to make sure that I maintain my membership in the curmudgeon's league, I'll warn against one version: Aimard/Harnoncourt. I held out great expectations for their cycle, as was greatly disappointed instead. YMMV, of course, but please do NOT buy before you try. 'Nuff said.
Cheers,
Dirk
Quote from: Verena on October 10, 2010, 09:16:12 PM
Another vote for Uchida - makes me even more curious..
I really can't recommend it enough. It's light, lively, crisp, bright; its' a very 'happy' Beethoven. Plus you get Sanderling and the Concertgebouw and the BRSO. I think its a can't miss set.
Quote from: dirkronk on October 11, 2010, 11:16:27 AM
And just to make sure that I maintain my membership in the curmudgeon's league, I'll warn against one version: Aimard/Harnoncourt. I held out great expectations for their cycle, as was greatly disappointed instead. YMMV, of course, but please do NOT buy before you try. 'Nuff said.
Good thing I got my beloved copy before your warning was issued. ;D
What is the Lewis recording like?
I heard him do it this year in the proms and I thought it was pretty boring, but the CD may be good.
The problem I have with Annie Fischer (DG) that the whole world loves is that it's -- heavy.
Quote from: Scarpia on October 11, 2010, 11:19:26 AM
Good thing I got my beloved copy before your warning was issued. ;D
Well, hey, Scarpia...if your copy is "beloved," then the warning was unnecessary!
;)
Dirk
Quote from: ukrneal on October 11, 2010, 10:31:39 AM
Serkin also did one on Telarc with the BSO/Ozawa. I've never heard this one, so don't know how it compares (but it was at Berkshire last I saw).
There's a reason that one is at Berkshire, while the Bernstein has been reissued on CD umpteen times.
Quote from: Todd on October 11, 2010, 10:29:49 AM
That would be a good idea. I have a big chunk of them, and I can't think of one dud. That written, I can't say his recording of the Third is tip-top tier stuff. More like second tier.
Two things elevate it. One is that he's a fine tonalist. The other is the Reinicke cadenza, which I like a lot.
Backhaus plays the cadenza too , but not as well as BM.
Quote from: Mandryka on October 11, 2010, 11:48:04 AM
Backhaus plays the cadenza aswell, but not as well.
Backhaus is great in the Beethoven concerti. I have the set on Decca.
Quote from: George on October 11, 2010, 11:49:58 AM
Backhaus is great in the Beethoven concerti. I have the set on Decca.
True. I should have mentioned Backhaus myself...I assume you mean his stereo cycle with Schmidt-Isserstedt. Next to their Emperor, the 3rd may be the most attractive of their performances in that set.
Dirk
Quote from: dirkronk on October 11, 2010, 11:16:27 AMTwo that I wish I could gush about more: Richter and Gilels.
Yeah, I have Richter's studio DG and while the pianism I find to be very fine the orchestral backdrop is simply too weighty and sluggish for me (though altogether professional, however). Which is a shame as Richter's piano tone is wonderfully caught by DG's engineers.
Although Richter's third with Ancerl has been recently reissued on Supraphon...might make up for the disappointing DG...
QuoteI purchased the Moravec/Neumann on original vinyl 20-some years back, expecting the pianist to deliver chops similar to his very fine 4ths; instead, I found the performance quirky...and for some time, wasn't sure whether I liked it or not. However, at this point, it has survived multiple purges in my vinyl collection, so I guess I DO like it (quite a bit, actually)...but wouldn't recommend it as an only or primary choice.
Interesting. Thanks for the information, dirk. Might have saved me from plunking down major $$$ if I ever encountered this disc...
Quote from: George on October 11, 2010, 09:42:54 AM
OOP, I think. :-[
Yes, seems to be OOP and totally obscure. But I bet that bloodhound nose of yours could sniff it out, George! ;D
Quote from: dirkronk on October 11, 2010, 11:16:27 AM
You may well be right about this, but the Ashkenazy/Solti Beethoven cycle has simply never done anything for me. It was the darling of audiophiles when it first came out, back in analog days, and it was frequently used to demo equipment at the hi-fi shop run by good friends of mine in the late '70s and through much of the '80s, but try as I might, I've never been able to warm up to the performances. (Same applies to the Solti Beethoven symphony cycle.) At this point, however, it's been at least a decade or more since I last tried to listen to their endeavors, and my taste has changed a bit in other ways, so perhaps it's time for me to revisit the recordings once more.
Meanwhile, I'll stick by my tried and true recommendations:
Annie Fischer/Fricsay. Back in my earliest days of concerto listening, when I thought I'd never be able to appreciate much of Beethoven's piano concerti beyond the Emperor and the 4th, this was THE performance that made me break through from "meh!" to "marvelous!" with the 3rd. Phrasing, pacing, interplay between soloist and orchestra, everything seems just right to my ears. And in its original LP format, it was paired with two Mozart rondos that were performed with equal warmth and, if anything, even greater beauty and affection...and the result was a profound appreciation for Annie Fischer's artistry (I was already aware of what Fricsay could do). Someone at DGG should really put these performances on a short list to be released on their Originals. Now, I can't expect you to necessarily react with the same gushing praise...my epiphany may not be your own...but since I put this performance at the top of my list, I figured you'd want to know why. By the way, I refer to the DGG studio recording, not the live 1957 performance on Palexa (I do have that one, it's just fine, but not at the same level as the DGG).
Once I made this breakthrough, I found other performances that I still like a great deal, and several have already been named: Solomon/Menges and Haskil/Markevitch, both superb. The early and still-hyphenated (Bishop-)Kovacevich with Davis is one I've known for decades--at least as long as the Ashkenazy/Solti--but whose felicities have only recently become more obvious to me. I'm very late to the performance of Perahia and Haitink...only recently bought a copy and have only listened once (!) and still need to hear it some more to evaluate fairly. Some of the "usual suspects" do an admirable job in their respective cycles (Fleisher/Szell, Gilels/Szell, Kempff/van Kempen) but not quite amazing enough to stand out over other contenders. There's a Rudolf Serkin version I like, too, but it's on vinyl and I'm not at home to check on who the conductor was (however, I know it wasn't Serkin's very late digital recording)...Bernstein? Ormandy?
Two that I wish I could gush about more: Richter and Gilels. I love both of these pianists, and both of them have done the 3rd on more than one occasion, but what I've heard seems "only" very good...possibly very, very good...and not what I consider great. Yes, I mentioned Gilels above, but his 3rds don't come close to the amazing 4th he did with Ludwig...alas! In similar fashion, I purchased the Moravec/Neumann on original vinyl 20-some years back, expecting the pianist to deliver chops similar to his very fine 4ths; instead, I found the performance quirky...and for some time, wasn't sure whether I liked it or not. However, at this point, it has survived multiple purges in my vinyl collection, so I guess I DO like it (quite a bit, actually)...but wouldn't recommend it as an only or primary choice.
And just to make sure that I maintain my membership in the curmudgeon's league, I'll warn against one version: Aimard/Harnoncourt. I held out great expectations for their cycle, as was greatly disappointed instead. YMMV, of course, but please do NOT buy before you try. 'Nuff said.
Cheers,
Dirk
Thanks so much, Dirk! Looking forward to checking out your recommendations..
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on October 11, 2010, 04:22:28 PM
Yes, seems to be OOP and totally obscure. But I bet that bloodhound nose of yours could sniff it out, George! ;D
I'll see what I can do. 0:)
Quote from: Verena on October 11, 2010, 10:13:53 AM
Did that Moravec recording ever appear on CD?
No, it was a private recording made at the concert and in surprisingly good sound when you consider it. I really like it despite not knowing the orchestra or conductor. I get the impression that Moravec can lift an ensemble by his presence and then lifts himself accordingly.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OSHxfih1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Any comments on this recording?
Quote from: johnshade on October 12, 2010, 04:23:21 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OSHxfih1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Any comments on this recording?
Norman Lebrecht seems to like this CD. Check his Scena website out.
Quote from: Verena on October 11, 2010, 10:04:37 AM
I'm relatively unfamiliar with Kovacevich - but I read good things about his Beethoven 5th concerto with Davis as well.
This Emperor is fantastic - even better than Pollini-VPO-Bohm.
Quote from: MichaelRabin on October 12, 2010, 04:59:50 AM
This Emperor is fantastic - even better than Pollini-VPO-Bohm.
Then it must be great indeed. The Pollini VPO Boehm was probably the first classical music CD I bought and I still treasure it.
Quote from: Verena on October 12, 2010, 10:52:28 AM
Then it must be great indeed.
Took the words out of my mouth. 8)
Uchida
Fleischer
Those two stick out in my mind.
Quote from: George on October 12, 2010, 10:54:37 AM
Took the words out of my mouth. 8)
Or else, great minds ...
Quote from: Verena on October 12, 2010, 11:10:18 AM
Or else, great minds ...
Join me (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,13.msg455753.html#msg455753) 0:)
I echo the mentions of A.Fischer, Solomon, Kempff/van Kempe, R.Sherman and Moiseiwitsch.
Interestingly no one has yet mentioned Michelangeli/Giullini on DG, that was one of the first captures as I started to collect classical music. Back then it was an other-worldly experience listening to the profundity of his playing of the Largo, and I admit, after having heard 10+ versions of this masterpiece I am still very impressed when I listen to it nowadays. Michelangeli's sometimes been criticized for his cold or impassive approach, but it is hard to find fault with his high-hearted interpretation and marble-like tone in this concerto. Not to mention Guillini and VSO who gave such a support of impeccable style and stunning perfection.
Recently I have been quite taken with Aimard/Harnoncourt's renewal, not only for its highly communicative partnership between piano and orchestra, but for their concept of filling every note with energy and life, and of making everything audible. It comes out intense, refreshing and genuine. No wonder, for the warhorses like Beethoven's PCs, what I have always sought is freshness and creativity, which I found more and more rare in the hands of artists who're likely to be irresolute about taking risk. IMHO this set might not be 'definitive', but could be an very interesting supplement.
In the light of other recommendations I'd like to hear Moravec and Uchida on this.
Quote from: squarez on October 16, 2010, 07:56:37 AM
I echo the mentions of A.Fischer, Solomon, Kempff/van Kempe, R.Sherman and Moiseiwitsch.
Thanks for your comments - I have to give the Michelangeli another spin. Your mention of Sherman makes me very curious about his interpretation, he was already mentioned by Todd. Unfortunately the CD is only available as a hugely overpriced used copy - the CD is OOP as far as I can see. Any other fans of the Sherman version out there?
Quote from: Verena on October 16, 2010, 10:43:33 AM
Thanks for your comments - I have to give the Michelangeli another spin. Your mention of Sherman makes me very curious about his interpretation, he was already mentioned by Todd. Unfortunately the CD is only available as a hugely overpriced used copy - the CD is OOP as far as I can see. Any other fans of the Sherman version out there?
Oh, yes. His complete set of concertos is one of the very best that I have heard.
I don't think it's OOP, though.
USA - http://www.amazon.com/Best-Russell-Sherman-Ludwig-Beethoven/dp/B000HRME3C/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1287263770&sr=1-17
Germany - http://www.amazon.de/Best-Russell-Sherman/dp/B000HRME3C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1287263827&sr=8-1
Quote from: George on October 16, 2010, 01:15:34 PM
Oh, yes. His complete set of concertos is one of the very best that I have heard.
I don't think it's OOP, though.
USA - http://www.amazon.com/Best-Russell-Sherman-Ludwig-Beethoven/dp/B000HRME3C/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1287263770&sr=1-17
Germany - http://www.amazon.de/Best-Russell-Sherman/dp/B000HRME3C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1287263827&sr=8-1
Great! Thanks! The text at German amazon says that it's currently not available - which is usually their synonym for OOP, but the amazon.com has a really cheap set that I will buy immediately..
Quote from: Verena on October 16, 2010, 02:14:42 PM
Great! Thanks! The text at German amazon says that it's currently not available - which is usually their synonym for OOP, but the amazon.com has a really cheap set that I will buy immediately..
You may find that the slow movement from PC 2 is defective, as it was so on a lot of the pressings. I have uploaded a non-defective version of the track here in WAV format - http://www.mediafire.com/?a2c40zjmnk4
Quote from: George on October 16, 2010, 02:41:59 PM
You may find that the slow movement from PC 2 is defective, as it was so on a lot of the pressings. I have uploaded a non-defective version of the track here in WAV format - http://www.mediafire.com/?a2c40zjmnk4
Thanks very much, George!!
My favorite: Arrau/Haitink with the Concertgebow Orchestra.
Also very good: Backhaus/Isserstedt, Annie Fischer/Fricsay, Solomon/Menges, Kempff/van Kempen.
Quote from: val on October 20, 2010, 11:44:01 PM
My favorite: Arrau/Haitink with the Concertgebow Orchestra.
Also very good: Backhaus/Isserstedt, Annie Fischer/Fricsay, Solomon/Menges, Kempff/van Kempen.
Thanks! Arrau sounds interesting, I'll check this out. Backhaus is a pianist I have only recently learned to appreciate, listening, for example, to his earlier Beethoven sonata traversal. I found it quite wonderful. So if the piano concerto is similarly good, it's a winner.
Quote from: Verena on October 21, 2010, 09:18:26 AM
Thanks! Arrau sounds interesting, I'll check this out. Backhaus is a pianist I have only recently learned to appreciate, listening, for example, to his earlier Beethoven sonata traversal. I found it quite wonderful. So if the piano concerto is similarly good, it's a winner.
It is. In fact, I think he's better in the concertos than the sonatas. :)
Quote from: George on October 21, 2010, 04:26:37 PM
It is. In fact, I think he's better in the concertos than the sonatas. :)
Wow, now I have to rush and check out these concerto recordings.
Quote from: Verena on October 21, 2010, 06:16:36 PM
Wow, now I have to rush and check out these concerto recordings.
Seller's remorse here, I had the grand Decca Box with Isserstedt's Beethoven symphony cycle and the Piano and Violin Concerti. Symphonies were dreary so I sold it, never took notice that the Concertos were also included. :(
One of the pleasures of enjoying music, like theater, poetry or any work of art, is how it can be many times reinterpreted, letting us "discover" how a certain piece can be renewed by that particular reading. But in the more "well-Known" compositions, so much played and recorded, it needs a very individual and special talent to refresh or reinvent in our memory the imprints of so many great interpreters.
And it was in this joy of discover that I listened an almost unknown version of the Beethoven C minor Concerto by Friedrich Gulda with the Koln Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester, conducted by Mario Rossi. This 1957 recording comes in very good sound and the performance, at least for me, can rival any of the classic greats in intensity, character and imagination. The thrust of the reading is clear from the beginning both in the orchestra and in the piano. And the musical tension is compelling to the very end. But there is also so much nobility in the tone and in the phrasing that you sometimes feel it like sharing an intimate conversation.
There are so many different and beautiful interpretations of this magnificent concerto. And there is also a latter (1970's) Decca recording of the 3rd Piano Concerto by Gulda (in a complete set) with Hors Stein and the Wiener Philharmoniker. I went back to the shelves and relistened to it with pleasure. But don't be misguided by some less prestigious accolades: Friedrich Gulda and Mario Rossi had a moment of grace in that 1957 concert.
(http://www.mediciarts.co.uk/site_manager/includes/images/product_images/MM024-2%20Gulda.jpg)
Quote from: ccar on October 24, 2010, 02:03:49 PM
One of the pleasures of enjoying music, like theater, poetry or any work of art, is how it can be many times reinterpreted, letting us "discover" how a certain piece can be renewed by that particular reading. But in the more "well-Known" compositions, so much played and recorded, it needs a very individual and special talent to refresh or reinvent in our memory the imprints of so many great interpreters.
And it was in this joy of discover that I listened an almost unknown version of the Beethoven C minor Concerto by Friedrich Gulda with the Koln Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester, conducted by Mario Rossi. This 1957 recording comes in very good sound and the performance, at least for me, can rival any of the classic greats in intensity, character and imagination. The thrust of the reading is clear from the beginning both in the orchestra and in the piano. And the musical tension is compelling to the very end. But there is also so much nobility in the tone and in the phrasing that you sometimes feel it like sharing an intimate conversation.
There are so many different and beautiful interpretations of this magnificent concerto. And there is also a latter (1970's) Decca recording of the 3rd Piano Concerto by Gulda (in a complete set) with Hors Stein and the Wiener Philharmoniker. I went back to the shelves and relistened to it with pleasure. But don't be misguided by some less prestigious accolades: Friedrich Gulda and Mario Rossi had a moment of grace in that 1957 concert.
(http://www.mediciarts.co.uk/site_manager/includes/images/product_images/MM024-2%20Gulda.jpg)
Thanks very much! This sounds very tempting indeed. Gulda is one of my very favorite Beethoven pianists, perhaps the one I listen to most. I love his sonata recordings and also some of the later concerto recordings with Stein. I'll certainly buy this CD.
Quote from: squarez on October 16, 2010, 07:56:37 AM
Interestingly no one has yet mentioned Michelangeli/Giullini on DG, that was one of the first captures as I started to collect classical music. Back then it was an other-worldly experience listening to the profundity of his playing of the Largo, and I admit, after having heard 10+ versions of this masterpiece I am still very impressed when I listen to it nowadays. Michelangeli's sometimes been criticized for his cold or impassive approach, but it is hard to find fault with his high-hearted interpretation and marble-like tone in this concerto. Not to mention Guillini and VSO who gave such a support of impeccable style and stunning perfection.
I was just reading through this thread and wondering when someone would mention this disc. It is my top choice for the 3rd. I have yet to hear another performance that comes close in terms of poise and naturalness of phrase. It's just beautiful and the piano is in genuine dialogue with the orchestra, not as often with the orchestra relegated to mere background.
Quote from: George on October 21, 2010, 04:26:37 PM
It is. In fact, I think he's better in the concertos than the sonatas. :)
Arrau or Backhaus, or both??
Quote from: premont on October 26, 2010, 06:14:32 AM
Arrau or Backhaus, or both??
I meant Backhaus, but I think it might apply to Arrau as well. (I don't have Arrau's 1-3, but I love his 4 and 5)
Quote from: George on October 26, 2010, 06:21:01 AM
I meant Backhaus, but I think it might apply to Arrau as well. (I don't have Arrau's 1-3, but I love his 4 and 5)
Mmm, I think they both are equally good in the sonatas and concertos. My reference concerning Arrau´s concerti is the EMI set with Galliera and a live performance of the Emperor I attended long time ago.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hc0QrZsBL._SS500_.jpg)
This is a great way to have the sonatas and concertos in just one box.
I agree with Premont, I think Arrau is equally fine in both of them. But after all I am a Chilean and my taste in Beethoven is quite erratic. :)
I recently got Arrau's sonatas, so I will now get to hearing them, once I finish with Gulda's Orfeo set.
Looks like that Galleria/Arrau set is very OOP. :-[