Beethoven Piano Concertos 3, 4 & 5

Review It would almost be worth acquiring these two discs for the conducting. Not having heard Mackerras direct these concertos before, I found there was double pleasure to be had from these fresh and inspiring readings. The most pleasing performance is probably that of the Fourth Concerto. In general, though, this is a performance of grace and musicianly charm. Where Pizarro's playing of the first-movement cadenza in the Third Concerto is impossibly mannered, suggesting that without the conductor's shaping hand the performance might end up goodness knows where, his handling of the cadenza in the Fourth Concerto is exceptional. Richard Osborne 16 July 2009 --Gramophone Following the release of their acclaimed set of Mozart symphonies last year, the SCO return under the baton of Sir Charles Mackerras to record Beethoven's last three great piano concertos. Portuguese pianist Artur Pizarro gives a performance which shifts between the vigorous and the restrained, He's perhaps less aggressive an exponent of Beethoven than Mackerras himself, who wisely tones down the energy of his orchestra attack in order to match his soloist's more lyrical reading of the score. Amazingly, the 5th concerto - 'the Emperor' - was flawlessly recorded, almost live, in an unexpected excess of studio time on the final day. But although it's almost certainly the most well-known of these three works, the sublime slow movement of the 3rd concerto is what truly stands out as this collection's quite wonderful high point. Pizarro makes the music drift and glide throughout, evoking all its subtle pathos without ever shading into the obvious or the sentimental. A worthy Classic FM CD of the week. Clare O Brien 01 July 2009 --HMV Choice The most intriguing thing about this magnificent set of Beethoven's last three piano concertos is that it actually comes off. Artur Pizarro approaches the concertos from an extreme pole of delicate poeticism and refinement; Sir Charles Mackerras, however, is a driving and punchy Beethovenian. It was he who used the word barbaric about Ludwig van, and you can hear it here. Yet without either musician compromising on his instincts, they produce electric and integrated Beethoven performances. A great set - and the good news is that, with the big three concertos in the bag, the team is now looking at ways of completing the cycle. Michael Tumelty 18 May 2009 --The Herald
ASIN: B001W1SLTS
VSKU: LFV.B001W1SLTS.VG
Condition: Very Good
Author/Artist:Scottish Chamber Orchestra;Artur Pizarro|Ludwig Van Beethoven|Sir Charles Mackerras|Scottish Chamber Orchestra|Artur Pizarro
Binding: Audio cd
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: CD Very Good - Case is in great condition. Comes with all artwork. Disc quality is near perfect. Guarantee in working condition.