Emil Gilels plays Tchaikovsky & Beethoven
Emil Gilels (piano)
Hallé Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli, Kirill Kondrashin
Breathtaking pianism from Gilels: Tchaikovsky's Concerto No. 2 is titanic and tender by turns, and his opening phrase of Beethoven Four is near-miraculous. Ropey sound quality, but worth it.
Emil Gilels plays Tchaikovsky & Beethoven
Emil Gilels (piano)
Hallé Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli, Kirill Kondrashin
Purchase product
Breathtaking pianism from Gilels: Tchaikovsky's Concerto No. 2 is titanic and tender by turns, and his opening phrase of Beethoven Four is near-miraculous. Ropey sound quality, but worth it.
About
Emil Gilels (1916–1985), along with Sviatoslav Richter, was one of the most celebrated pianists of the 20th century.
These rare broadcast recordings make their first appearance on CD.
The live recording of the Beethoven Piano Concerto No.4 from the 1966 Edinburgh Festival together with the distinguished accompaniment of Sir John Barbirolli produce a performance of great poetry, imagination and power. Gilels had a wonderful, discriminating ear and throughout the concerto brings a chamber music quality to his playing when the score demands.
Gilels recorded the work in the studio in 1957 and 1968 but there are very few live performances available where the pianist is ‘caught on the wing’ in good sound.
The Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.2 in the abridged version by Siloti from 1959 brings out Gilels’ incredible technique and virtuosity (The New York Times dubbed him ‘the little giant’) with Kirill Kondrashin transforming the LPO into an authentic Russian-sounding orchestra.
Ambient Mastering adds an extra dimension to these distinguished performances recorded over 45 years ago.
Contents and tracklist
- Emil Gilels (piano)
- Hallé Orchestra
- Sir John Barbirolli
- Recorded: 23 February 1959
- Recording Venue: BBC Maida Vale Studios, London, United Kingdom
- Emil Gilels (piano)
- London Philharmonic Orchestra
- Kirill Kondrashin
- Recorded: 13 September 1966
- Recording Venue: Edinburgh Festival, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Awards and reviews
January 2012
Breathtaking pianism from Gilels: Tchaikovsky's Concerto No. 2 is titanic and tender by turns, and his opening phrase of Beethoven Four is near-miraculous. Ropey sound quality, but worth it.
22nd September 2011
there is no doubting the poetry and the intensity that Gilels invests in the solo part. He was never a pianist to flaunt any degree of flamboyance, but the quality that comes through in this performance is the focus and the seriousness of his interpretation, his chamber-music-like relationship with the orchestra, the gleaming tone that he could elicit from the keyboard, and the range of emotion that he could describe
