BaL 04.01.25 - Beethoven: Piano concerto 1

[Hitch]

vinteuil Thank you.

[MickyD]

... it's lovely.

Available on CD

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Piano-Concertos-Norrington-London-Classical-Players/dp/B000090WCD

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Piano-Concertos-Ludwig-van-Beethoven/dp/B00000DNKG

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I've not heard these versions, having bought the Lubin/Hogwood set at the time. They get a very rough ride in the comments section on the Amazon page, saying the fortepiano is very overwhelmed. And I'm afraid I couldn't live with the horrendous cover art of this reissue!

[vinteuil]

... for those who share her enthusiasm for Gilels in Beethoven concertos, they are conveniently available in his Icon box -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Icon-Emil-Gilels-Various-Artists/dp/B003D0ZNXS

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[Lordgeous]

A good and interesting BAL I thought. Gilel's Bhoven 4th was always my favourite so I'll happily search out his 1st now. I wonder what its coupled with? I also loved what I heard of Schiff & Lupu but, as has been said elsewhere, the idea of a 'winner' is surely no longer valid with so many fine performances available these days, except maybe for listeners who don't know the work being discussed? And I would guess they're not the expected audience for RR.

[Pulcinella]

A good and interesting BAL I thought. Gilel's Bhoven 4th was always my favourite so I'll happily search out his 1st now. I wonder what its coupled with? A also loved what I heard of Schiff & Lupu but, as has been said elsewhere, the idea of a 'winner' is surely no longer valid with so many fine performances available these days, except maybe for listeners who don't know the work being discussed? And I would guess they're not the expected audience for RR.

Currently available options here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/search?search_query=Gilels%20Beethoven%20piano%20szell%20concerto%201

[Hitch]

I've not heard these versions, having bought the Lubin/Hogwood set at the time. They get a very rough ride in the comments section on the Amazon page, saying the fortepiano is very overwhelmed. And I'm afraid I couldn't live with the horrendous cover art of this reissue!

I retain my enthusiasm for Tan/Norrington in the first two concerti - it is nos. 3-5 that the Amazon reviews really go after. However, the recording volume on the Spotify upload is low and forces me to increase the amplification; if the same issue occurs on the CD then that might partly account for the complaints that Tan's instrument is overpowered by the orchestra.

Yes, the new cover art is awful. It's good to see that classical music's long history of diabolical album covers still contains fresh horrors.

[CallMePaul]

Gilels wins again but this time in 1968 with Szell - seeing off Brendel and Zimerman both with Rattle and Barenboim/Klemperer.

I struggle,however, to consider this a proper survey without any discussion of Argerich and Perahia. Brautigam was illustrated more than once .

Not to mention Pollini, Kovacevich, Buchbinder, Lewis, etc, etc. Also, why when piano works of this period are under discussion, do reviewers always appear to shortlist only one period performer?

[MickyD]

Who was the period performer that got mentioned? Brautigam's version uses a modern piano, I believe

[Ein Heldenleben]

Who was the period performer that got mentioned? Brautigam's version uses a modern piano, I believe

Brautigam (fortepiano version) was clipped twice . It was also mentioned that he’d done a modern piano version.

[MickyD]

Ah right, thank you....I wasn't aware of the fortepiano set he had done. He's very versatile!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Even though I continue to be irritated by twofer BaLs, I found this to be interesting throughout. No pretentions - just useful pointers with good musical illustrations.

[visualnickmos]

Even though I continue to be irritated by twofer BaLs, I found this to be interesting throughout. No pretentions - just useful pointers with good musical illustrations.

As usual, too much wasted time with AM's needless 'oh, so natural' interruptions, and also as usual, a reviewer unable to get into their stride, because of it. A few examples wouldn't have gone amiss. SCRAP THIS FORMAT.

[Alison]

It was striking how often Andrew made the first assessment after an excerpt which Joanna was then more or less obliged to agree with.

Though I rate Brendel very highly I’ve never much cared for the Rattle cycle. Both men trying too hard somehow. On the other hand I was taken by the Zimerman extracts under the same conductor.

[Pulcinella]

It was striking how often Andrew made the first assessment after an excerpt which Joanna was then more or less obliged to agree with.

Though I rate Brendel very highly I’ve never much cared for the Rattle cycle. Both men trying too hard somehow. On the other hand I was taken by the Zimerman extracts under the same conductor.

Yes: sadly back to the norm after a refreshing interlude with Sarah Walker last week: an acceptable twofer then, I thought.

[Alison]

Must say I’ve never thought of the C major as the Cinderella Concerto.