Leif Ove Andsnes: The Beethoven Journey (Piano Concerto No. 5 & Choral Fantasy)

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Andsnes's view of the Emperor Concerto's slow movement may strike some listeners as less contemplative and poetic than usual, and it may be that his interpretation of the piece will deepend... — BBC Music Magazine, March 2015, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 15th Sep 2014
Catalogue No: 88843058862
Label: Sony
Series: Leif Ove Andsnes The Beethoven Journey
Length: 56 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

Awards Issue 2014

Editor's Choice
Presto Recordings of the Year

Finalist 2014

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

Work length37:45

Album only

Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
Leif Ove Andsnes

I. Allegro

Track length20:06

Album only

II. Adagio un poco mosso

Track length7:20

$1.30

$1.70

III. Rondo. Allegro

Track length10:19

Album only

Beethoven: Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80

Work length18:36

Album only

The Prague Philharmonic Choir, Lukás Vasilek (chorus master), Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic Chorus
Leif Ove Andsnes

I. Adagio

Track length3:17

$1.30

$1.70

II. Finale. Allegro - Allegretto, ma non troppo, quasi andante con moto

Track length15:19

Album only

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About

The celebrated Norwegian pianist completes his multi-annual collaborative journey with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, dedicated to Beethoven’s five piano concertos. The Beethoven Journey is a four-year collaborative project between celebrated pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Together they have recorded all of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos, as well as the Choral Fantasy, with Andsnes not only playing but also directing the orchestra. The series began with the live recording of the Piano Concertos 1 & 3 at the Prague Spring Festival in the historic Rudolfinum building. The second CD, Piano Concertos 2 & 4, was recorded in London in 2013, and the final album was recorded again live at the Prague Spring Festival in 2014. Leif Ove Andsnes has devoted the majority of his performing and recording activities in the last 3 years to the music of Beethoven. Although Andsnes has an extensive discography, “The Beethoven Journey” is his first Beethoven recording ever.

Reviews

March 2015

Andsnes's view of the Emperor Concerto's slow movement may strike some listeners as less contemplative and poetic than usual, and it may be that his interpretation of the piece will deepend over time, but it's beautifully played...Particularly notable in Andsnes's performance of the first movement is the mysterious approach to the recapitulation, where he and the orchestra vividly convey the feeling of the music holding its breath.

Awards Issue 2014

Andsnes manages to be lithe and spontaneous-sounding, and doesn't overplaying hints of melodrama...In a way Andsnes reminds me of Schnabel in his sureness of touch, albeit in a very different style...The unanimity in the closing bars between Andsnes and his orchestra says it all. Having used up my stash of superlatives, all I can say is: go buy.

10th January 2015

There is no absence of weight here or of rhythmic sinew, but the range of softer dynamics and the flux of light and shade are truly remarkable. With Andsnes, every note counts, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra complements him in definition and refined phrasing. These are Beethoven performances of arresting maturity, stylistic acumen and utter delight.

Leif Ove Andsnes: The Beethoven Journey (Piano Concerto No. 5 & Choral Fantasy)

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