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Ludwig van Beethoven: Die fünf Klavierkonzerte - 1

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s

Artist: Ludwig van Beethoven
Title: Die fünf Klavierkonzerte - 1
Released: 1999
Label: London Records Ltd.
Time: 55:41
Producer(s):
Appears with:
Category: Classic
Rating: *********. (9/10)
Media type: CD
Purchase date:  2001.02.15
Price in €: 1,00
Web address:

 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op. 15:
[1] I. Allegro Con Brio - 15:07
[2] II. Largo - 12:09
[3] III. Rondo: Allegro - 9:12

Six Bagatelles, Op. 126:
[4] I. Andante Con Moto, Cantabile E Compiacevole - 3:20
[5] II. Allegro - 2:35
[6] III. Andante, Cantabile E Grazioso - 2:39
[7] IV. Presto - 3:53
[8] V. Quasi Allegretto - 2:20
[9] VI. Presto-Andante Amabile E Con Moto - 4:06

[10] Für Elise - 3:03

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Vladimir Ashkenazy - Piano

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Sir Georg Solti

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


Each of these performances has its own profile. The orchestra plays incisively in the First Concerto, but Ashkenazy's plush lyricism doesn't make a good match either with the orchestra or with the music, and he makes one weird ritard in the first movement. The Second Concerto is uneventful, rather bland and pleasant. The Third Concerto seems to be the best performance of the lot, with dramatic playing by soloist and orchestra, but it's sabotaged by blurry recorded sound, the only serious problem with sound quality in the entire set. The Fourth Concerto is enlivened, at least intellectually, by Solti's approach, constantly revealing interesting unfamiliar details in the orchestral score. Ashkenazy's detachment makes this a frosty but fascinating experience. The "Emperor" is a good routine performance, nothing special. The Bagatelles aren't much of a bonus, since they're rather dully played. (Why not the "Choral" Fantasy?) There's nothing actively bad about this set, and it's reasonably priced. But Beethoven deserves better, and gets it from many performers, including the fascinating Uchida-Sanderling collaborations.

Leslie Gerber, Amazon.com



Ashkenazy and Solti at their best

I agree with those who've given this set of Beethoven piano concerti high praise. Rarely have I've heard Ashkenazy play with such warmth and enthusiasm and Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are equally superb too, giving wonderful performances that do not overshadow Ashkenazy's fine playing. I doubt I've heard a more compelling version of the 4th Piano Concerto - except where noted below - and the 5th is just as fine as well. At any price, this has to rate as one of the best Beethoven piano concerto cycles out there. The only ones which I have a slight preference over this set are those with Alfred Brendel as soloist and James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a series of live performances during the early 1980's and the mid 1980's studio recordings of Claudio Arrau with Sir Colin Davis conducting the Dresden Staatskapelle. Both were recorded by Philips and are substantially more expensive than the Ashkenazy/Solti Decca set.

John Kwok from New York, NY, February 28, 2001



Ashkenazy and Solti Make Magic!

These are wonderful performances of Beethoven's piano concertos. Based on the positive reviews and the high sales rank, a lot of people agree that there is not much wrong with this set.I would be hesitant to call this set the best, but if you are trying to decided on a box set of the concertos, you will not be disappointed with this one at all.

Unlike other performances of the concertos, instead of the piano being the dominant instrument, the orchestra tries to have it's role be equal with the piano. With a Mozart piano concerto this wouldn't work since those pieces are more of chamber works, it would sound like the instruments are just playing louder then normal. The aggressive nature of the orchestra does work here. Solti and Ashkenazy turn the concertos into orchestral pieces or mini-symphonies. Ashkenazy and the piano never get lost or drowned out though. He plays with much power and beauty. Because of this approach to the pieces, the 4th and 5th are outstanding. The 4th sounds reminiscent of Beethoven's "Pastoral" symphony (which was written around the same time); it's powerful, passionate and driven. Ashkenazy and Solti bring a level of energy to the 5th which no duo has brought before. When you hear it, you want to get up, conduct and play the piano at the same time. The third movement has the vigor and excitement found in good performances of Beethoven's 7th symphony. You will not find better recordings of the 4th and 5th concertos.

Even if you own another collection of Beethoven's piano concertos, pick up this one for the 4th and 5th, they are simply spectacular.

Seth from Philadelphia, Pa United States, February 21, 2001



Fabulous, Sensational, Breathtaking ...

WIth several versions of Beethoven concertos out there, one might find it difficult to find the best one. To explain how great this 3 CD set is, I will refer to the Emperor concerto--I have listened to few different plyings of this concerto (including Horowitz and Brendel, other ones from the radio etc), but I must say that the one by Ashkenazy is the most beautiful. Ashkenazy's playing is unequalled, and while some other players tend to go too fast on some parts and thereby kill its delicate beauty, Ashkenazy's playing is sensational from start to end and will have you playing the CDs over and over. Personally, I haven't seen a better Beethoven player than Ashkenazy, and one critic has said about his playing: "whatever Ashkenazy plays, he plays well...Ashkenazy does not interpret music, he breaths it." Get this fabulous set of Beethoven concertos; there is no competition when it comes to Ashkenazy's playing.

yoopa from Staten Island, NY USA, February 13, 2001



Fantastic

This collection is by far the best interpretation of Beethoven's piano concertos I've ever heard. I play the 1st, 2nd, and 4th piano concerto. This set is excellent for students, to hear how the music is supposed to be played. Personally, I favor the 4th piano concerto. The 1st is played a little to fast, but nevertheless, it is still a great buy, and at the price offered at amazon, you'd be crazy not to get it!

pianoman2701 from College Station, Texas United States, November 23, 2000
 

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