Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5

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Happily, Alfred Brendel's fourth recorded cycle of the Beethoven piano concertos shares with the previous three qualities of energy, sensibility, intellectual rigour and high pianistic finish... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Catalogue No: 4627812
Label: Philips
Length: 2 hours 57 minutes

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15

Work length38:22

$2.55

$3.45

Alfred Brendel (piano)
Wiener Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle
Recorded: 1997-12
Recording Venue: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Wien

I. Allegro con brio

Track length17:13

$0.85

$1.15

II. Largo

Track length12:23

$0.85

$1.15

III. Rondo. Allegro scherzando

Track length8:46

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58

Work length33:16

$2.55

$3.45

Alfred Brendel (piano)
Wiener Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle
Recorded: 1997-12
Recording Venue: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Wien

I. Allegro moderato

Track length17:54

$0.85

$1.15

II. Andante con moto

Track length5:08

$0.85

$1.15

III. Rondo. Vivace

Track length10:14

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19

Work length29:55

$2.55

$3.45

Alfred Brendel (piano)
Wiener Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle
Recorded: 1998-12
Recording Venue: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Wien

I. Allegro con brio

Track length14:27

$0.85

$1.15

II. Adagio

Track length9:13

$0.85

$1.15

III. Rondo. Molto allegro

Track length6:15

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

Work length36:10

$2.55

$3.45

Alfred Brendel (piano)
Wiener Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle
Recorded: 1998-12
Recording Venue: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Wien

I. Allegro con brio

Track length17:03

$0.85

$1.15

II. Largo

Track length9:52

$0.85

$1.15

III. Rondo. Allegro

Track length9:15

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 'Emperor'

Work length39:57

$2.55

$3.45

Alfred Brendel (piano)
Wiener Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle
Recorded: 1998-02
Recording Venue: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Wien

I. Allegro

Track length20:58

$0.85

$1.15

II. Adagio un poco mosso

Track length8:18

$0.85

$1.15

III. Rondo. Allegro

Track length10:41

$0.85

$1.15

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

Happily, Alfred Brendel's fourth recorded cycle of the Beethoven piano concertos shares with the previous three qualities of energy, sensibility, intellectual rigour and high pianistic finish which made the earlier recordings so interesting.
Brendel has always played all five slow movements supremely well, drawing the orchestra around him like a celebrant at the communion table and here we have even finer performances than previously.
In the two early concertos the Vienna Philharmonic's playing has a sweetness and allure, in the grander, later works a black-browed power, that's specially its own. Brendel's playing in the early concertos recalls his fine recordings of the early sonatas and the early and late Bagatelles, but it's as a private person impatient with the conventions and frock-coated formalities of the concertos as 'public' works. With No 3 we move into a different world. This is a marvellous performance from all three partners, purposeful and robust, the tonic C minor the cue for a reading full of darkness and menace, basses to the fore, drums at the ready. The finale is particularly ominous (relieved only by a lustrous clarinet solo) after an account of the slow movement, full toned yet deeply quiet, the like of which is rarely heard. The C minor Concerto's heroic antitype, the Emperor in E flat, fares less well. Not the slow movement or finale, but the first movement which is slower than previously, to no very good effect. Perhaps interpreters nowadays are less happy than their predecessors were with Beethoven's heroic persona.
Back in the private world of the Fourth Concerto, soloist, orchestra and conductor are at their inspired best. Brendel's glittering, wonderfully propelled account of the solo part is superbly backed by playing of real fire and sensitivity. The recordings are first rate.

2010 edition

With each concerto recorded immediately after live performances, the results have an extra spontaneity, usually at speeds marginally faster than in his previous recordings. The dynamic range is greater, too...The ambience of the Musikverein casts a warm, natural glow over the proceedings...A fine achievement.

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5

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