Beethoven: Concertos Nos. 3 & 5

On this CD:

1. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Montreal Symphony Orchestra with Wilhelm Kempff
Conducted by Franz-Paul Decker

2. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major ("Emperor"), Op. 73
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Montreal Symphony Orchestra with Wilhelm Kempff
Conducted by Seiji Ozawa

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These are aggressive, somewhat eccentric readings of these concerti. They are given performances of real fire, and Pletnev takes interesting liberties with dynamics. Sudden passages of very loud or very soft playing ensure that we will not be bored. At times he uses rubato the way an Italian tenor might, which is to say, interestingly but with dubious taste. There is a moment in the First Concerto's Largo that is taken so slowly it sounds as if something might have gone wrong with the CD. It appears that Pletnev has approached both of these works as exemplars of high Romanticism, whereas the first, in particular, looks back to Mozart. This is not to say that he does not play impeccably. His tone is always handsome and no matter how loudly he plays, he never distorts. Whether or not one agrees with his "re-interpretations," it is impossible not to be riveted. Pletnev says in the accompanying notes that his wish is that "every scream, every moment of joy" in the music "should be lived through as it's lived in our real lives." Those who know these concerti well might be surprised at how many screams Pletnev finds. The orchestra plays with great transparency under Christian Gansch. Nothing if not entertaining. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Pletnev on Beethoven 1 & 3.......2007-05-30

Pletnev is superb and the Russian orchestra is the best I have heard.

Distinctive, Imaginative Playing from Pletnev and the RNO in these two Beethoven piano concerti.......2007-03-28

Mikhail Pletnev has earned ample praise for his thoughtful, distinctive style of playing, never one to adhere strictly to time-worn traditions or the latest trends, such as period instrument-informed performance. Indeed, in the liner notes, Pletnev is quoted as saying that period instrument-informed performance is an idea that he regards as "ultimately self-defeating, because no great composer was ever satisfied with the instruments that he had at his disposal". Here he has embarked on a series of Deutsche Grammophon recordings recorded live late last year at the Beethovenfest in Bonn, Germany (Beethoven's birthplace) playing the entire Beethoven piano concerti cycle and conducting the entire Beethoven symphony cycle with the orchestra he founded, the Russian National Orchestra, which has earned ample worldwide acclaim inspite of its youth.

His playing of both Beethoven concerti is like none other that I've heard recently from the likes of Aimard, Brendel, Schiff, or Vogt to name but a few. While he adheres to Classical tradition only in soft, subtle playing of the keys where it is required, its mostly a fiery Slavic Romantic interpretation which we hear from him, in which he emphasizes loud, dramatic playing. His fiery, incandescent interpretation of the 1st Piano Concerto stands in stark contrast to a more elegant, refined interpretation I had heard earlier this month at Carnegie Hall from Martha Argerich accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit. Hers was a strictly Classical interpretation emphasizing the score's stylistic ties to Mozart's last, great piano concerti. In Pletnev's hands, the 3rd Piano Concerto receives a similar treatment, in which he emphasizes sudden changes in tempi and sound, such as in dramatic shifts between soft and loud playing, emphasizing a more Romantic connection to this work, than acknowledging its late Classical origins. While Pletnev adheres faithfully to the notes of Beethoven's scores, his style of playing is more improvisational, and thus perhaps more riveting, than other, more recent interpretations of both concerti that I have heard either live or in recordings.

I haven't heard of conductor Christian Gansch before, but he does an excellent job conducting the Russian National Orchestra in two performances that do acknowledge period instrment practice, but only to a certain extent, especially in the lean textures articulated by the wind and string sections. Indeed critic David Gutman observes in the liner notes that the Russian National Orchestra "combines lean-toned intimacy with darker Slavic sonorities. The authenticity sought is emotional, its only requirement to make the music live again for us in the here and now."

Needless to say the sound quality of this CD is superb, up to the usual high standards one expects from Deutsche Grammophon, even though this CD is from a live concert performance. I eagerly await the release of the rest of Pletnev's Beethoven piano concerto cycle, and his turns at the podium in conducting Beethoven symphonies. But I would recommend this CD as a viable, dramatic alternative to those interested in hearing a splendid recent recording of these two Beethoven piano concerti, not as a primary recommendation, even though it still earns high praise for me. For primary recommendations, I would recommend instead recordings made by Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Claudio Arrau (either of his Philips cycles), Alfred Brendel (especially from his first or second Philips cycles), Murray Perahia, and Andras Schiff.

An imagiinative triumph for Pletnev.......2007-03-14

Listening to the thousand-and-one tinkerings that Mikhail Pletnev makes in the simple Concerto #1 of Beethoven, I was reminded that this quirky artist feels free to embellish any composer, including Beethoven. You find this either irritatingly intrusive or delightfully imaginative. There are days when I can't decide which. Here the overall results are undeniably appealing, however. We know that Beethoven improvised freely at the keyboard, and althoug Pletnev doesn't add new notes, he improvises the feeling of the music, tending toward a romantic sprightliness. He makes phrases erupt, then whisper. He races around corners where other pianists don't realize that corners exist.

It's helpful that most of these expressive turns are on the micro scale. You won't hear gross distortions, and Pletnev's rubato isn't totally extreme (it comes close, though). The Concerto #3 is considered bigger and more romantic than the First, an entry into mature Beethoven, but Pletnev is light and playful in both works. I don't know his accompanist, conductor Christian Gansch, but he's a find. He gets very lovely, imaginative playing from the Russian National Orch., and DG's sound is excellent.

It all adds up to a novel, highly enjoyable version of two familiar works that Pletnev hears in unfamiliar ways.

Average customer rating:

I'm not quite so convinced.
Stunning recording and a fresh approach
Modern...And I Like It!
recordings at the styriarte festival in Graz
A Stunning Collaboration

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5
Ludwig van Beethoven , Pierre-Laurent Aimard , Nikolaus Harnoncourt , and Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000088DSQ
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Adagio
Rondo: Allegro Molto
Allegro Con Brio
Largo
Rondo: Allegro

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Largo
Rondo: Allegro

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato
Andante Con Moto
Rondo: Vivace
Allegro
Adagio Un Poco Moto
Rondo: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

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Aimard is best-known as an exponent of contemporary music, Harnoncourt, as a Founding Father of the period instrument movement. Both bring elements of their contrasting backgrounds to this provocative set: Aimard, in the lucidity and transparency of his playing, Harnoncourt, by rooting Beethoven within earlier traditions. But such templates don't always apply here, since they also utilize such ultra-Romantic gestures as wide tempo fluctuations, often from one measure to the next, elongated pauses, unexpected accents, among others. Such a diversity of interpretive stances takes getting used to, but the effort's worthwhile as these discs make something fresh and new out of familiar repertory pieces.

The first two concertos fare best, and the "Emperor" is also striking with its blend of clear textures and heroic gestures that likely surprised the composer's contemporaries with their boldness. In No. 3, lyricism sometimes shades into lingering, and the famous dialogue between growling orchestra and poetic piano in No. 4 is tame alongside most versions. Overall, the pair generally favor spacious tempos--the opening Allegro con brios of the first three concertos don't have much brio, and slow movements are slower than the norm, although those fluctuating internal speeds keep total timings within the "normal" range. But then, the goal of these artists is to restore a spirit of adventure and spontaneity to Beethoven, and they've certainly succeeded. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

I'm not quite so convinced........2006-10-28

I was surprised by the universal acclaim on this recording. Whilst there are some moments of real joy and surprise, as a whole the set feels somewhat uneven. The first three concertos are the best of the set, four is OK but five is disappointing. At times liberties are taken with tempi and you find things grinding to a halt abruptly and the performance loses forward momentum as a result, at other times things feel a little too mechanical.

This is particularly apparent in the slow movement of number 5, one of my favourite piece of Beethoven. It is really difficult to tell whether it is intended or a by-product of recording but at times the piano is just too much to the fore and sounds like a mechanical music box. It is somewhat surprising by Aimard seems to be able to combine over use of rubato (the opening phrases in the piano just slow down too much) with overly spiky approaches to passages where the piano accompanies the orchestra.

I have to say though that the orchestra is wonderful throughout under Harnoncourt.

Word of advice - don't listen to this with headphones - you can hear the edits to remove audience noise and also hear someone (wither the conductor or soloist) audibly grunting with the effort in places - quite unnerving.

Stunning recording and a fresh approach.......2006-01-10

Aimard, Harnoncourt, and the COE present a compelling interpretation of these oft-heard piano concertos. I agree completely with the favorable comments made by the spotlight reviewers and would like to add that this set is the best-recorded of the several sets that I own. While the interpretations are very unique, they are also musically quite convincing. I learned this music with the Ashkenazy/Cleveland Orchestra collaboration and have been listening a lot to the Fleisher/Szell set, which is perhaps my all-time favorite, but I would certainly highly recommend this new set to anyone with a fondness for these piano concertos.

Modern...And I Like It!.......2005-03-06

I never would have thought...

Thank you Monsieur Aimard for affirming the tradition of equilibriated emotion and intellection in pianism. Thank you Les Monsieurs Aimard and Harnoncourt for your hard and successful work in making these pieces sound new again.

The Master Beethoven's Piano Concerti have just come out of the shower...They are clean, fresh, and alive again!

recordings at the styriarte festival in Graz.......2003-11-03

I'm glad that other listeners enjoy this recording of Beethoven's piano concertos as much as I do. I just wanted to correct some false information about the recording details: In the booklet of the CD you can read that the 2nd concerto was recorded in Vienna which isn't true. This concerto was recorded in Graz at the styriarte festival 2001 (June-July), whereas the first concerto was recorded in Vienna. In order to complete the series in Graz Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Pierre-Laurent Aimard decided to do the first concerto in 2003, but it was not recorded by Teldec/Warner at the festival 2003. Instead Warner took the older recording from Vienna. What Warner did record in Graz at the festival 2003 was Beethoven's Choral fantasy op. 80 and the Rondo, WoO 6.
Apart from pointing out these technical details of the recording I warmly recommend a live performance of Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Pierre-Laurent Aimard and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe because the CD can not grasp the overwhelming atmosphere which these great artists produce in Nikolaus Harnoncourt's hometown.

A Stunning Collaboration.......2003-08-16

I often like to hear what pianists who specialize in contemporary music have to say about pieces from the established repertoire; they tend to re-think even the old works. This, plus a recommendation from a friend, led me to buy this set featuring Pierre-Laurent Aimard. I had heard him play part of Messaien's 'Vingt Regards' this past season and was knocked out. Then I got his recording of the Ligeti Études and was convinced by them that he is one of the most talented pianists today, at least in modern repertoire. I had heard rumors that Nikolaus Harnoncourt, having recorded a very successful Beethoven symphony set with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, was planning to record the Beethoven Piano Concerti with them as well and I'd heard it was going to be with Martha Argerich. I later read, though, that she refused to participate at least partly because she didn't know all five of the concerti and didn't want to learn the ones she didn't already know. When I heard that the project was going ahead, but with Aimard, I was puzzled but very interested. In the set's booklet, Aimard indicates that although he had never performed with Harnoncourt, the conductor had heard him play a Beethoven sonata in recital and judged that he might make a wonderful collaborator. Aimard was, understandably, a bit surprised at being chosen, but quickly agreed to the project. These recordings, then, were taken, except for the recording of the Second Concerto, from live performances in Harnoncourt's hometown, Graz, Austria; the Second was recorded live in the Vienna Philharmonic's home hall, the Musikverein. The 3-CD set presents the concerti in the order in which they were written: 2, 1, 3, 4, 5.

There are a number of general comments to make about this collaboration. First, it is clear that both Harnoncourt and Aimard have re-thought the pieces from start to finish. There are not simply gazing admiringly at well-known monuments. They are getting up-close-and-personal and making observations, individually and together, that are fresh and new. Further, their cooperation is stunning; Harnoncourt, whose long-standing relationship with the COE is such that he can get anything he wants from them with a flick of the wrist, conducts the pieces as if the music were occurring to him in the now. This means that there are many tempo alterations, pauses, accents, mouldings of phrases that sound spontaneous. And Aimard matches him gesture for gesture. Occasionally this is irritating, but usually it is simply surprising and enlightening. One thing is for sure: you never know what is just around the next corner. And this, of course, makes the music fresh and exciting. Following along with score I noted no flagrant disregard of Beethoven's notated indications, and indeed I saw that Aimard followed quite closely such things as Beethoven's sometimes quirky but always effective pedal markings and accents.

The COE, as a result of Harnoncourt's background in early music, uses minimal vibrato, the winds and brass sound like original instruments (although I don't know whether they actually are), the timpani are crisp (from leather-headed sticks?) as they were in the Harnoncourt/COE symphony set. The sound picture is exceptionally clear and the dynamic range exceptionally wide. The sound of the piano is not nearly as highlighted as it is in most concerto recordings; rather it sounds like it does in a concert hall. This seems particularly so in the latter two concerti. This strikes me as apt, since the Fourth is a rather like a symphonic fantasia with piano obbligato and the Fifth--in distinction to its usual presentation as a grand Romantic concerto with heroic piano solo--is a symphony with piano. For this reason, the Fourth and Fifth are particularly successful.

The slow movements are generally slower than usually heard, and they all feature heavenly string playing from the COE. The muted strings in the slow movement of the Fifth are matched by Aimard's slightly covered sound and the effect is heavenly. One doesn't want it to end, but when the final chord in B major resolves downward to the B flat opening of the final movement it is like waking from a dream to find oneself in a fresh and wonderful new world--one of Beethoven's master-strokes served up perfectly by Harnoncourt and his musicians. The colloquy--one might say 'debate'--between the piano and the orchestra in the middle movement of the Fourth is more genial than in some performances, but this is in the interest of a rather gentler overall approach in that concerto, one that I find attractive.

The Second concerto, usually played as a Haydnesque late-Classic concerto, is more full-blooded than one generally hears; this may be partly due to the rich, warm ambience of the recording venue, the Vienna Musikverein. Whatever the reason, I like this approach; I've often thought other performances have drained this concerto of its fire, focusing rather on its music-box features.

The First concerto in C major is, for whatever reason, my least favorite of the five, but it is given a loving, nuanced, sparkling performance here. The outer movements of the Third, in C minor, are the weakest of the set--although the performances are not at all bad; the sound is a little muddy as well. Its middle movement, though, one of Beethoven's loveliest movements, is perfect. Its stillness foreshadows the slow movements of Beethoven's late sonatas and quartets. Harnoncourt and Aimard are in complete accord on its extremely slow tempo and time seems to stand still.

In summary, then, this is one of the most successful Beethoven Concerto sets I've ever encountered. I would not want to be without Arrau/C. Davis (my favorite over the years), or various recordings by Gilels, Richter, Brendel, Ashkenazy, Kovacevich, Schnabel (that glorious Fifth with the Chicago Symphony!) and others. For new insights, though, and a slightly out-of-the-mainstream approach, as well as a deep satisfaction, I'll reach for this set often, I suspect.

Heartily recommended.

CD1=70;24 (2nd=31:10, 1st=39:14)
CD2=37:50 (3rd)
CD3=75:09 (4th=35:27, 5th=39:42)
TT=183:19

Tracks:

Concerto No. 3 For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 37 (C Minor): I - Allegro con brio
Concerto No. 3 For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 37 (C Minor): II - Largo
Concerto No. 3 For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 37 (C Minor): III - Rondo: Allegro
Concerto No. 4 For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 58 (G Major): I. Allegro moderato
Concerto No. 4 For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 58 (G Major): I - Andante con moto
Concerto No. 4 For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 58 (G Major): III - Rondo vivace

Customer Reviews:

Refreshing Variations from Perahia, Concertgebouw .......2005-03-22

It is with good reason that the 2005 Gramophone Guide to Classical CDs lists this among their most praised versions of Beethoven Concertos 3 and 4. Indeed Perahia's entire Beethoven concerto cycle ranks with Kempff as among the best avaialble. (I personally recommend Perahia or Rubinstein for Concertos 1, 2 and 4; Kempff for 1-4; Serkin for 3 and 5; Richter for 5.) The lighter, chamber quality of the Haitink's Concertgebouw offers a nice variation from the standard, more heavy orchestral execution of these pieces. This gives both pieces the more intiment feeling of a recital than a concert hall. Perahia's interpretations are deft and appealing. This is an excellent recording. Perahia perhaps shines most in the Fourth, where power is effectively balanced with appropriate delicacy. While always technically proficient, Perahia's performance does not eschew the emotional investment we've come to expect from his Mozart, Richter's Prokofiev, or Rubinstein's Chopin.

Perahia's Masterful Beethoven.......2001-08-01

One is lost for words when faced with music making of this calibre. Perahia's perfect sense of phrasing, his poetry, his wondrous control of tone production, his powerful sense of drama and his lyricism, never resorting to bombast or histrionics, make this without a doubt one of the great recorded couplings of these two works. And Haitink's broad, contemplative readings, while never lacking thrust or impetus, show us both sides of Beethoven's character; not just the virtuosic showman, but also Beethoven the philosopher and poet. A fine example of this is in the 4th's central movement. Nowhere else has Liszt's description of this elusive music, 'Orpheus taming the Furies' seemed more apt then here; the breathtaking purity and transluscent milkiness of Perahia's perfectly shaped lines gradually embue the grave and tragic utterances of the orchestra to leniancy.

This is a must. Among the greatest Beethoven recordings of the last 20 years.

wonderfully lively.......2000-11-16

What I like about this album is that Perahia here is trying to express something inexplicable, with his right hand touch and shaping, of the overtone sometimes milky but always potently articulated and weighed to different pitches and nuance, one sounds like almost peculiarly Perahian. It is really fine that way, trying rather to do something with right hand, uniquely perahian better than to do away with others things that perhaps his contemporaries share. I know he likes Mieczyslaw Horszowski, and has similarity with Rudolf Serkin (in his early Beethoven recordings in the 1950's) in my view this Beethoven 4th Concerto share the same 'teeth' as it were trying to make sense out of urgent issues such that Beethoven might have wanted to express rather explicitly in the 4th Concerto. Though Perahia here balance things out, not with one continuous blow contiguously fired upon in an even scale and scope of the whole movement expressed as Rudolf Serkin does in his early days, perahian thinking and methodology would prevail here in much the same concept as what stems the ground or essentials, with much different approach that here argued on his usage of his right hand, peculiarly potent, but always effective as conveyance to his other attributes that make up the whole, almost a lot of ground to cover the what is perhaps a weak link to this wonderfully lively sculptor, that what have not been sought, in others words, have sort its way out into one terrific gesture of accommodation and perhaps most effective compromises. His right hand to me is a powerful tool or outlet enabling him to express the inexpressible. His left hand too is very powerful and sustained with control so that it hardly runs out of breath, nor punch, maybe much is alike with Maurizio Pollini's, high calibre left hand presence thereby rendered.

Concerto No. 3 accompanied with 4th is ideal in its layout not missing anything essential nor structure of the work dissipates with breathing sequences in the given work. All details that would sustain the momentum has scrupulously laid out open in one sequence after another, orderly way, many details have judiciously set themselves forth not compromising the integrity of structure (in the third movement toward the end). Perahia here also adopts in the first movement Beethoven's own cadenza in which he shows some of the pyrotechnic. No nonsense direction from Bernard Hatink and balance engineers too have made this record more valuable outside the scope of my review.

I actually like these performances!.......2000-08-14

Apparently Perahia's crystalline Beethoven is not to everyone's taste. If you're looking for rugged Beethoven, you would do better to look elsewhere. What I find impressive about these Perahia interpretations, however, is their classical restraint, taking the form of carefully molded phrasing, which comes across to some as aloofness. This restraint is necessary in preserving Perahia's crystalline purity of tone. NOBODY can match Perahia in the evenness and leggiero touch of his scales in the Third Concerto, for example. The legendary performances of the past are irreplaceable but these are uniquely special too! As for the sound, there is a definite preference for a concert hall perspective here: the mikes are placed at a reasonable distance in a reverberant acoustic, which INCREASES dynamic range by properly conveying pianissimos in contrast to the tutti moments. Perhaps others prefer close-up recording balances but I like how these recordings convey sonic details in realistic perspective.

Haitink didn't get the job done this time.......2000-04-12

I am a big Haitink admirer, but this set is pretty bland, with little dynamic range and color and performances by Perahia that just skate on the surface of the music, even in deep, probing concerti like the 4th. The reviewer below who said Beethoven was his own man by the time of the C minor concerto has got it wrong: this is *the* most Mozartean of all Beethoven's concerti. It's a fact that Beethoven modeled it after Mozart's own C minor, which Beethoven admired boundlessly. (To his friend Kremer: "Listen to that! *We* shall never do anything like that." And he didn't.) The fire necessary even for minor-key Mozart is absent from these pedestrian readings, and Perahia gives everything the same monotonous glass sheen. There are so many competative sets out there one wonders why this has stayed in print for so long. Haitink's wonderful collaboration with Arrau has just come back into print, and even here you have to buy it as part of a 14-disc comprehensive Beethoven set. Worth it, but pricy!

Average customer rating:

a great collaboration
Phenomenal performances!

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 5

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Piano Concerto #2

ASIN: B000002S7W
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

Piano Con No.3 In c, Op.37: I.Allegro Con Brio
Piano Con No.3 In c, Op.37: II.Largo
Piano Con No.3 In c, Op.37: III.Rondo (Allegro)
Piano Con No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': I.Allegro
Piano Con No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': II. Adagio Un Poco Mosso
Piano Con No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': III.Rondo (Allegro)

Customer Reviews:

a great collaboration.......2001-03-29

Karajan and Weissenberg are a perfect match for the Beethoven piano concertos. This particular recording has #s 3 and 5, I would guess the two most popular ones. While I am personally not too fond of #5 (The Emperor concerto) in general, this recording is superb. The C minor concerto (#3) on the other hand, is my absolute favorite and this particular recording is in my top three choices for this work, the others being Svjatoslav Richter/Riccardo Muti and Maurizio Pollini/Karl Boehm. Weissenberg has impeccable technique, but what is really amazing is that he has the same subtle sense for pace, force and harmony that makes Karajan's style so wonderful. They really go together very well and create a beautiful, very uniquely homogenous interpretation of the piece that left me highly satisified. This recording is from the mid-seventies, but the sound quality is very good. EMI has done a very good job in remastering all of Karajan's work for the "Karajan edition". Beethoven piano concertos 1+2 are available in the same series and the are equally worthwile

Phenomenal performances!.......2001-03-14

Alexis Weissenberg was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. (Unfortunately, I do not know whether he is still alive in this century or not.) Weissenberg's technique is incredible, but his artistry is even more astounding. Personally, I regard him as the greatest pianist I've ever heard. As one would expect from such a great pianist, his performances of the Beethoven piano concertos are superb, as is the accompaniment by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. Particularly outstanding is the performance of the Emperor Concerto which is monumental. No other currently-available performance of the Emperor Concerto comes even close to this one. The performance of Concerto No. 3 is quite good. Unfortunately, many of Weissenberg's recordings are not available on CD. Please do yourself a favor and buy this CD while it's still available.

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 / Michelangeli, Giulini

Average customer rating:

Michelangeli is in full command
SHEER DELIGHT
Something went wrong in the DG studio, I fear
Beautiful performance and recording
Unusual Piano Playing are Just as Likely Giulini's Idea!

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 / Michelangeli, Giulini

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001GXL
Release Date: 1998-01-27

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In C Major: 1. Allegro con brio
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In C Major: 2. Largo
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In C Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Minor: 1. Allegro con brio
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Minor: 2. Largo
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Minor: 3. Rondo. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Michelangeli is in full command.......2006-09-26

From the moment he apeared on the scene after WW II, through periods of great acclaim, retirement, re-emergence, notorious cancellations, and final deification, Michelangeli created an aura around himself. He was so aloof, patrician, and unapproachable that audiences felt privileged if he even showed up--and then there was his demand for strict silence and a darkened hall before he would play the first note. Remembering all that is easy thanks to these magisterial readings of the Beethoven First and Third concertos.

Late in his career, Michelangeli found a soul mate in Giulini, both committed to old-fashioned, intense, personal musicmaking. The First concerto starts off broadly, and one imagines this will be an exercise in patience, but the minute Michelangeli enters, you can't help but be riveted. It's not that he employs fireworks a la Horowitz--if anything, the playing is fairly relaxed. It's all in the pianist's total command of each note, thanks to his legendary touch. The simplest scale is completely captivating. (It was a regular habit of Michelangeli's to choose 'simple' music like this concerto, which even a good student can manage, just to hypnotize the audience with his artistry.)

The Third concerto is cut form the same cloth. It's soulful, reticent, and deeply felt. Since the keyboard writing is more difficult in this work, we get to hear the magic he could pull off in terms of balance and tone. I don't know how many listeners exist for this kind of music-making, but I'm very grateful that it has been preserved on records.

SHEER DELIGHT.......2006-07-21

One man's view: I feel I've never heard these pieces before when I put this CD on. ABM's approach is magical to me. He's forceful yet somehow graceful and fluid. Assured. Precise. I find I want to play his CDs just to hear his touch on the piano. It's like a swim in healing tropical waters. Highly recommended!

Something went wrong in the DG studio, I fear .......2006-06-12

I have old LP and cassette versions of the Concerto #1 and something has gone wrong, in my view, with this CD version. First, the audience applause is gone altogether, just blanked out--a shame, it seems to me. Second and more importantly, Michelangeli's wonderfully wild dynamic range has been dampened, modified, and noticeably limited, while the orchestra is now bolder. The choice of balance is regrettable here: Deutsche Grammophon has shortchanged Michelangeli of his poetic power; we no longer fully hear his crashing chords and exquisite faint passages, the jocularity and impishness of this early masterpiece by Beethoven. I bought the CD with high hopes; try listening to the original DG versions and I do think you'll hear what I mean. But then it is still Michelangeli, still stirring and blindingly accurate and memorable.

Beautiful performance and recording.......2002-05-26

This is a wonderful CD, at an excellent price. The interpretation of the First Piano Concerto does allow Beethoven to be Beethoven, as another reviewer has remarked. Some performances of this concerto sound dismissive, but this one is evocative and sensitive.

I love the Third, Fourth and Fifth Concertos. The Third was my introduction to Beethoven Piano Concertos through listening and following the score in Year Ten Music classes. It is a remarkable work, with some similarities to the Fifth Symphony in the way Beethoven exhaustively develops the opening theme of the first movement.

Highly recommended recording.

Unusual Piano Playing are Just as Likely Giulini's Idea!.......2002-04-06

Oh, dear friends, after reading the reviews that preceed this minor contribution by your fair simpleton, where to begin? LVB is a POST Classical composer, so ANYTHING goes with these radicals and thier really big bands. Interpretation is EVERYTHING with LVB and those to come. LVB is the king of kings in regards to emotionalism. So, why all the hand-wringing as if these pieces were baroque pearls. Giulini and Mich. are superb on this recording for the very reasons others cite as their flaws. And let's face it, while this humble contributor finds Giulini's recording of LVB's 5th Symphony with the L.A. Philharmonic to be a bombastic, over-the-top, hyper-emotional vulgar-fest, that same recording is considered by MANY to be among the greatest recordings of said piece--EVER!! Come now! Can a recording by one of the greatest conductors of LVB, Maesto Giulini, be as bad as others have suggested? NO! NO! NO! Why some have written about this CD as if it were one of Abbado's accidental fender benders with LVB is unknown. And I do love Abbado so, but in attempting to don the lampshade, he has broken the LVB lamp itself in the process. This performance on this CD with Giulini and Mich. is a breath of fresh air for these well known works. Agreed, the points of musicianship cited by others is accurate, but those are this CD's strengths, not weaknesses. This CD is truly among my favoirite versions of LVB piano concertos. My ONLY complaint: it is an ANALOG recording. However, the compromise is not enough to ruin the beauty of these performances. I forget which, but one of the recordings is a live performance (I know, Giulini ALWAYS insisted upon live "takes") for a TV broadcast. Live performances in halls for broadcast are an additional compromise, and you will hear some instuments lost in the muddle, but DG, always the wizards of audio, still manage to make it an experience to remember.

Average customer rating:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations

The Violinist
Yehudi Menuhin , Johann Sebastian Bach , Bela Bartok , Ludwig van Beethoven , Alban Berg , Johannes Brahms , Max Bruch , Arcangelo Corelli , Edward Elgar , Franz Joseph Haydn , Edouard Lalo , Felix Mendelssohn , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Carl Nielsen , Niccolo Paganini , Camille Saint-Saens , Jean Sibelius , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Michael Tippett , Henri Vieuxtemps , Antonio Vivaldi , William Walton , Alberto Lysy , Anatole Fistoulari , Antal Dorati , Anthony Bernard , Gaston Poulet , John Pitchard , Mogens Woldike , Pierre Boulez , and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos
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Bach: Orchestral Suites & Concertos
The Glory of Rostropovich: 80th Birthday Tribute
Schubert: 8 Symphonies

ASIN: B0000BWTKJ
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Affettuoso
III. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Assai
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Assai
I. Vivace
II. Largo Ma Non Tanto
III. Allegro

Tracks:

Rhapsody No. 2 (Lassu [Moderato] - Friss [Allegro Moderato])
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andante Tranquillo
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante
I. Allegretto (Scherzando)
II. Allegro
II. Adagio

Tracks:

Romance No. 1 In G Major
I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Larghetto
III. Rondo (Allegro) (Cadenza: Kreisler)
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Finale (Allegro Energico)

Tracks:

Romance No. 2 In F Major, Op. 50
I. Allegro Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Vivace - Poco Piu Presto
I. Allegro Molto Appassionato
II. Andante
III. Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante Tranquillo
II. Presto Capriccioso Alla Napolitana & Trio (Canzonetta)
III. Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato (Cadenza: Menuhin)
II. Adagio Molto
III. Finale (Presto) (Cadenza: Menuhin)
I. Allegro
II. Andante Cantabile
III. Rondo (Andante Grazioso - Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Andante
III. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Scherzando (Allegro Molto)
III. Intermezzo (Allegretto Non Troppo)
IV. Andante
V. Rondo (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andantino Quasi Allegretto
III. Molto Moderato E Maestoso - Allegro Non Troppo
Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Havanaise, Op. 83

Tracks:

I. Allegro Maestoso (Cadenza: Emile Sauret)
II. Adagio Espressivo
III. Rondo (Allegro Spiritoso)
I. Andante - Moderato - Cadenza
II. Adagio Religioso
III. Scherzo (Vivace) & Trio
IV. Finale (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Cadenza
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Serenade Melancolique
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Di Molto
III. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
I. Praeludium (Largo)
I. Allegro Cavalleresco
II. Intermezzo (Poco Adagio)
II. Rondo (Allegretto Scherzando)

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Adagio
III. Presto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Vivace - Allegro - Adagio - Vivace - Allegro - Largo Andante
II. Allegro
III. Grave - Andante Largo - Allegro
Fantasia Concertante On A Theme Of Corelli

Customer Reviews:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations.......2004-01-06

The recent trend toward classical box sets focusing on the performer instead of the composer (see my reviews of the various DG/Decca "Original Masters" sets) continues with EMI's new "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist." Sure EMI's past sets have showcased individual performances by Samson Francois, Eugen Jochum and Rudolf Kempe to name a few, but it was always under the heading of a given composer's works, and in the cases mentioned above, to Chopin's piano pieces, Bruckner's Symphonies and Strauss' Orchestral Works respectively. Therefore, this Menuhin collection is the first of EMI's "Budget Box Sets" to showcase a performer playing the works of a variety of composers.

As Menuhin was an EMI recording artist for an incredible 68 years (1931-99), his performances for the label number in the hundreds. With so much music from which to choose, this 10-disc set aims "to highlight some of those alternative versions, including recordings that have not been easily available since the days of LP and others that have never previously appeared on CD." Therefore, the obvious mainstream, easily attainable recordings are omitted here -- for example, the Beethoven/Mendelssohn VCs with Furtwangler, the Elgar VC with the composer conducting, and the Bruch/Mendelssohn VCs with Susskind and Kurtz.

However, a lot of this material has been on disc before on titles which the serious collector most likely already owns. Most of the Bach is currently available as part of the Bach "Budget Box Series" title. The Bruch, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Vivaldi VCs were all available in the now out-of-print 2CD EMI Seraphim series. The Elgar and the Walton are still available in the "British Composers" series. And perhaps most annoyingly, the previously unpublished Beethoven VC and Tchaikovsky "Serenade melancolique" (available as a single disc), and the Beethoven Romance No. 2 (available on an EMI Encore title) were both reissued just a few months back.

But let's focus on the positive, which are the other rare performances, the most significant being the never before reissued 1954 performance of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 with John Pritchard and the Philharmonia. Other elusive recordings include Viuextemps and Paganini VCs with Fistoulari, Lalo and Saint-Saens works with Goossens, and excellent Berg and Bartok accounts with Boulez. Though I'm delighted at their inclusion, of lesser importance is a 1965 Bartok VC No. 2 with Dorati -- his mono EMI with Furtwangler and an earlier account with Dorati on Mercury Living Presence are far superior. Also, neither the Sibelius (Boult, 1955) nor Nielsen (Woldike, 1952) Concertos are truly Menuhin's cups of tea.

My last complaint has to do with the packaging. I know I'm being rather trite but it seems that EMI has taken the "slim" out of slim, paper-sleeved box sets with their latest batch of releases. Both this title and the new box of Liszt Orchestral Works by Masur are noticeably thicker than previous EMI sets featuring a similar number of discs. A minor point, but us serious classical collectors need every centimeter of space on our increasingly crowded CD shelves, not to mention the amount of wasted packaging.

Overall though, despite the fact that "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist" is not as essential a reissue as its counterparts in the "Original Masters" series, it is a delightful set that most collectors will thoroughly enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven Best

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 5

Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0000AH3EM
Release Date: 2003-09-01

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Largo
Rondo. Allegro
Allegro
Adagio Un Poco Moto
Rondo. Allegro

Album Details

First Time on CD. Digitally Remastered.

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven Best.......2004-10-27

This is my First review! [Oh, Boy! Mentality Ahoy!] Over twenty five years ago My Father [who passed away in Nov. 2001] gave me a 100 lp set produced by the Franklin Mint [which I shall treasure always(I Love You Daddy!)]. I have been trying to get the performances from the Franklin Mint set on regular commercial CD's[trying & trying!]. Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto with Rudolf Serkin is on the Franklin Mint set and now on this CD! I would like to share Igor Kipnis's brief notes on this concerto and this performance. Remember: notes are over 25 years old! [from the Frankln Mint set]"The Concerto 'Beethoven began this concerto in an unorthodox manner, reminiscent of the solo piano opening to his Fourth Concerto, which, rather than starting with the usual orchestral exposition, began with the piano making the first statment. In the "Emperor" the composer commences with a series of majestic orchestral chords between which the solo instrument plays cadenza-like passages of brilliant arpeggios, scales and trills. There are two main themes, the first involving both a triplet turn and a dotted rhythmic figure, the second a march-like subject played softly and staccato in the minor and then powerfully in the major. The movement is an exceptionally long one (there are nearly 600 bars), but in this beautifully proportioned Allegro, alternating between regal triumph and lofty serenity, the piano becomes a truly heroic protagonist with the orchestra. Interestingly, Beethoven dispenses with the usual extensive cadenza, preferring to integrate a briefer one just before the coda. E-flat Major represents the heroic key of the opening movement, and for the second movement Beethoven turns to a more remote B Major. The Adagio un poco mosso begins with a remarkably calm theme sustained by the strings; this alternates with a rhapsodic theme presented and elaborated by the solo instrument, both themes being expanded and varied during the course of the movement. At the coda, rather than simply concluding the movement, Beethoven has the bassons drop the tonality down a half step to B-flat, at which point the piano muses over a new, broken chordal figure in E-flat. This, speeded up, turns out to be the principal theme of the finale (Rondo: Allegro). If the first movement is basically regal in character, the concluding rondo, with its three main themes, is essentially exuberant, and brilliantly conceived in the writing for both the piano and orchestra. Born in Bohemia in 1903, Rudolf Serkin has had an exceptionally distinguished career, first in Europe and, after his American debut in 1933, in the United States. He has appeared with almost every major orchestra in the world, has headed the famed Marlboro Festival and most recently has been heard and seen on television, first on a seventy-fifth birthday recital and then again with the New York Philharmonic performing the Emperor Concerto. This justly famed recording with that orchestra under Leonard Bernstein was made on May 1, 1962. The pianist's authority in the music of the Viennese classics has long been held in the highest esteem, and his recording of this concerto in particular aptly demonstrates the deep, even physical intensity that is a hallmark of Serkin's style.'" Notes by Igor Kipnis for the Franklin Mint. Remember: the notes are over "25" years old! I Love these performances! The reissue of these concertos on CD are excellent! Mr. Kipnis's remarks on the Fifth's performance are "right on the target!" The Third Concerto is played in the same manner. The first and third movements are firmly in command by both Mr. Serkin and Mr. Bernstein. The second movement is absolutely serene! The other piano concerto by Beethoven in the Franklin Mint set is the Fourth with Rudolf Serkin and Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra(stereo version). I found it once on "The art of interpretation" series (the same series the present CD comes from) on CD on the web, but could not afford it at the time. I have not been able to find it since! I hope some of the more experienced reviewers can help me find it! I need all the help I can get! But, I am grateful that I do have this CD of Beethoven's Third and Fifth Piano Concertos! Truly Beethoven Best! God Bless!

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5; Choral Fantasia

Average customer rating:

Not just a May-December marriage but a high point for Barenboim musically
Among the best Beethoven Concertos, and an interesting contrast of conductor and pianist
Harsh at times
unmissable stuff
Don't miss the two genius together

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5; Choral Fantasia

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002S1J
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

Pno Con No.1 in C, Op.15: I. Allegro con brio
Pno Con No.1 in C, Op.15: II. Largo
Pno Con No.1 in C, Op.15: III. Rondo (Allegro scherzando)
Pno Con No.2 in B flat, Op.19: I. Allegro con brio
Pno Con No.2 in B flat, Op.19: II. Adagio
Pno Con No.2 in B flat, Op.19: III. Rondo (Molto allegro)

Tracks:

Pno Con No.3 in c, Op.37: I. Allegro con brio
Pno Con No.3 in c, Op.37: II. Largo
Pno Con No.3 in c, Op.37: III. Rondo (Allegro)
Pno Con No.4 in G, Op.58: I. Allegro moderato
Pno Con No.4 in G, Op.58: II. Andante con moto
Pno Con No.4 in G, Op.58: III. Rondo (Vivace)

Tracks:

Pno Con No.5 E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': I. Allegro
Pno Con No.5 E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': II. Adagio un poco mosso
Pno Con No.5 E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': III. Rondo (Allegro)
Fant in C for pno, chor and orch, Op.80 - Daniel Barenboim/John Alldis Choir/John Alldis

Customer Reviews:

Not just a May-December marriage but a high point for Barenboim musically.......2006-05-17

Listening to these imaginative and ingratiating performances of the five Beethoven piano concertos, I marvelled at Barenboim's early maturity. He displays uncanny poise and confidence, fully equal to Klemperer's grand manner. Sadly, the mid-Sixties was about the last time I could connect with Barenboim, whose romantic tendencies, so impressively applied here, went off into caricature: he began to channel Furtwangler and hasn't stopped, despite the fact that it caused him to lose his best musical instincts. (His cycle of the Beethoven symphonies with the Berliner Staatskapelle is so stody and dull that it might as well join Furtwangler in the grave.)

That's irrelevant here. The amazing thing for me is that Barenboim proves so successful at making these overly familiar works sound fresh through pure musical insight of the kind Schnabel might have--every movement really speaks under his hands. As for Klemperer, his is simply the greatest condcuting ever found in a complete Beethoven cycle. I got more feeling from these CDs than from his at times ponderous symphony recordings. For example, in the slow movement of Concerto #2, pianist and conductor agree that the style should be mature Beethoven, with full sonority, measured tempos, and weightiness. That may sound like a bad idea in this Haydnesque early work, but by the time they build to the hushed, mysterious coda, we are transported to an inspired world. Throughout there is the same stamp of genuineness.

Barenboim eschews virtuoso gimmicks and never powers his way through the score. I must confess that I waited forty years to buy this set, on the assumption that Klemper would be inattentive and heavy-handed. How very wrong I was. This Beethoven cycle sets the gold standard.

Among the best Beethoven Concertos, and an interesting contrast of conductor and pianist.......2005-11-15

Daniel Barenboim's late 1960s recording of the Beethoven Piano Concertos is one of the best, and an interesting contrast: the young, brilliant pianist Barenboim with the elderly condcutor Klemperer. Klemperer was known for slow tempos by the 1960s, and a sense of granitic structure: like viewing a beautiful rock hewn of granite from a distance, but not something you can get close to, nor call "charming" or "loving." This sense is present in Klemperer's orchestral contribution to these recordings: tempos are never too fast, and there is a sense that something timeless and great is going to happen in every movement. Barenboim's pianism seems awesome: flawless and technically perfect, and the Philharmonia Orchestra plays beautifully in each concerto. Recorded sound is very good: analog stereo from the late 1960s.

Keep in mind, however, these are not "cold" recordings. The music may be calculated under Klemperer's direction to a certain degree, but everything makes perfect musical sense, and Beethoven's titanic greatness shines throughout. If you like a more lean approach to Beethoven's Concertos, avoid Barenboim/Klemperer.

Some listeners may not agree, but I believe Barenboim/Klemperer's Beethoven Concertos to be among the best, along with Ashkenazy/Solti (Decca); Rubinstein/Leinsdorf (RCA/ Boston Symphony); and for a more Classical approach free of Romantic excess, Perahia/Haitink (Sony).

Harsh at times.......2000-01-01

For my taste, these were disappointing. The dynamic range is so great in the recording, you cannot easily find a comfortable volume. Softer passages are either lost or the sound becomes blaring. Yes, Klemperer is a grand master, but the Orchestra often sounds overly romantic and pompous for my ears. I have an Annie Fisher recording of the 3rd Concerto and every moment that makes that CD memorable is missing on this version of the 3rd. For example, there is a passage in the first movement that occurs twice. The piano hits several increasingly powerful octaves slightly behind the orchestra. Annie Fischer's final Octave is so powerful in that the pause leading up to it is greater and the depth of her conviction in solidly ringing it out is profound. On the Klemperer/Barenboim recording this monumental moment passes mostly unnoticed. Also, the piano has an almost harsh ringing sound. Infact, the entire recording has a supercharged high end that can be oppressive. I would also recommend the Ashkenazy, Mehta recording of the 4th and 5th. That recording has a warmth of orchestral sound that seems more natural to me. I also find that Barenboim and Klemperer do not seem to be seeing things eye to eye, especially in the 5th. Don't get me wrong, these are classic performances, I just will not reach for them as often as the others and I simply offer an opinion.

unmissable stuff.......1999-12-15

How lucky we are that Daniel Barenboim began to mature as a great artist with Klemperer enjoying a glorious Indian summer. This is a miraculous recording. The 24-year-old Barenboim is a match for the magisterial Klemperer, who was almost three times the age of his precocious pianist. It's remarkable to find two artists of such different ages cooperating so well. And they're fully equals as well - this is a version of the Beethoven concertos with soloist as primus inter pares (to quote one reviewer). The Emperor has seldom sounded so grand. The orchestral playing is quite something as well.

Don't miss the two genius together.......1998-10-17

Again the power of the old Klemperer bright like a spark in the dark sea of his no-rithm measures. A young and brilliant Baremboim that plays like the angels. Anyway, don't miss the Piano Con. n.5 conducted by Knapertbusch and played by Curzon for taste the glory.

Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music

Average customer rating:

A Very Pleasurable Mix
Good for beginners.

Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music

Manufacturer: Proarte
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
25 Classical Favorites

ASIN: B000000C3P
Release Date: 1993-02-01

Tracks:

Canon
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons: Largo - Allegro
Fanfare
Air On A 'G' String
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante: 'Elvira Madigan' Theme
Symphony No. 5: Opening
William Tell Overture: Conclusion
Aida: Triumphal March
The Blue Danube Waltz
Waltz Of The Flowers
1812 Overture - Conclusion

Customer Reviews:

A Very Pleasurable Mix.......2005-10-29

I still consider myself a rock music fan, but received this CD/album as a Christmas gift in 1995, and have listened to it in my car countless times. It contains a very nice assortment of familiar arrangements performed brillantly by various orchestras. Even if the title doesn't ring a bell, chances are you've heard these songs before and can connect with them. My wife's favorite is "Canon" (she's a diehard romantic) and I'm partial to "Fanfare" (Masterpiece Theater's old theme). Guaranteed to mellow you out while stuck in rush-hour traffic.

Good for beginners........1999-01-16

For those of us who think we would like classical music but have no idea where to start or what to buy, this is a good CD. I now have a small classical music library which gives me a great deal of pleasure, but this was one of my first selections. I still enjoy it. I recommend it to friends who are beginning to enjoy classical music and need a place to start.

Average customer rating:

Definitely a gem to save close to you

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 4

Manufacturer: Archipel
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000OQF6PY
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Customer Reviews:

Definitely a gem to save close to you.......2007-06-27

First of all, this recording is worth hearing, The combination pianist -directors-orchestras are definitely so spectacular, Clara Haskil was a great artist from all accounts of the 20th century, I have to take into consideration that despite of the time of this live recording , the sound has with certainty been well balanced and quite good enough so keep an eye on it and don't miss the opportunity to get it because is one of a kind.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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