Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Complete Concertos Vol. 2

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4 star:		(1)
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What luck on my part! I bought this CD because I wanted an inexpensive recording of the Emperor Concerto. When I came across this CD, I had no idea who Kovacevich is. I simply bought this double CD because it was inexpensive and it also contained the violin concerto and the triple concerto. It wasn't until I actually listened to the recordings when I finally realized that these are far from the sub-par cheap performance that I had come to expect from inexpensive CDs. In fact, after doing some reseach on the musicians, I realized Kovacevich's complete Beethoven piano concerto cycle is considered to be one of the finest. And, as you may know, this field (the Beethoven piano concertos) is one that does not lack competition. Many complete performances by other great pianists exist out there (Brendel, Fleisher, Barenboim, Serkin, and many others), and the Kovacevich recordings rank among the best of them. The other works included in the set are great as well. The Triple Concerto included here was performed by Arrau (another great pianist), Szeryng (violin), and Starker (cello), while the Violin Concerto was performed by Krebbers. Both performances are first-rate, especially the Triple Concerto. The Violin Concerto may be a touch too slow for some people's tastes, but it suits those of us who prefer a more romanic and solemn Beethoven over a more frivolous one. Nevertheless, Kovacevich's Emperor Concerto steals the spotlight here. To complete your Beethoven Piano Concerto set, also check out the Beethoven Complete Concertos 1, which includes the first four of Beethoven piano concertos and 2 violin romances (performed by Kovacevich and Grumiaux, respectively). Quality doesn't come any cheaper than this.

In my opinion this is THE Emperor concerto to buy. Kovacevich has another Emperor concerto available through EMI with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, but this one is every bit as vital, and the set is a bargain to boot. The playing is very exciting, detailed, and brilliant. I could go on, but it deserves every praise. The sound quality is astounding for 1969, and Davis and the LSO were in one of their vintage periods. The other works here are recommendable too, particularly the violin concerto. But don't miss this Emperor.

I have heard most of the performances on this two CD compilation elsewhere, with the notable exceptions of Herman Krebbers' performance of the Violin Concerto (However, judging from his work as the soloist in Kondrashin's celebrated Philips recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, I am sure that his performance of Beethoven's violin concerto is exceptional.) and Piano Concerto 0. I have heard better performances of Beethoven's Triple Concerto, most notably from the Beaux Arts Trio (most recent Philips recording with Kurt Masur conducting the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra) and the Trio Fontenay (with Elihu Inbal conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra); I don't think the chemistry is good amongst pianist Claudio Arrau and his fellow soloists, though theirs is a credible performance. Without a doubt, the finest performance on this two CD compilation is Kovacevich's spellbinding performance of Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto. His dramatic playing is steeped in lyricism and first-rate technique; it is among the fastest versions I have heard. Kovacevich's confident playing is superbly backed by Sir Colin Davis conducting the London Symphony Orchestra.

This is hands-down THE most compelling, fiery, regal Emperor concerto I've heard. Kovacevich doesn't make any pretense of playing Beethoven "politely" (as some other pianists have done, to the detriment of the music, I feel); he dives into this score and powers his way through it with an energy and ferocity I haven't found anywhere else. Listen to the sharp accents and incredible power in the opening of the concerto's third movement, or the fortissimo series of chords near the end of the first movement's development section. There just isn't a moment when Kovacevich isn't giving 100 percent of his energy and concentration to the music, and the result is an amazingly focused, powerful performance. Davis and the London Symphony are similarly brilliant, delivering a hammerblow performance of their own that complements Kovacevich note for note. The obvious exception to all this energy, of course, is the slow middle movement, which is treated with almost palpable musical tenderness--but no less precision. The other performances on this CD set are competently done as well, particularly the "Little" E Flat Major piano concerto, which is a lightweight sparkler that's a real treat to listen to. But I have other personal favorite performances of most of the other works on this 2-CD set, whereas this Emperor concerto is unbeatable. Look at the other works as enjoyable added bonuses to complement the Emperor, this performance of which is worth the price of this CD set by itself.

I have never heard the Emperor played like this. Kovacevich plays with a verve that is very exciting (almost wild at times).

Stephen Kovacevich is superb. In fact this rare 2CD release features an all-star cast on all of the performances that are presented. This is an essential companion to Volume No. 1 of the complete Beethoven concertos released several years ago in the Philips DUO series.

The violin concerto itself is worth the full price of this 2 CD set. The collaboration between Krebbers/Haitink/Concertgebouw produced an extremely satifying listening experience, even more so than my old favorite, the Perlman/Giulini/Berliner collaboration issued by EMI. The slower pace and rich sound of the Concertgebouw work beautifully with the thinner yet fully invested voice of the soloist here. The orchestra and the soloist are always listening for each other -- as if they are of one mind. Thank God for this soulful, supernal performance.

The Piano Concerto 5 is not bad either. However, I don't think it in the same category as, say, the Perahia/Haitink collaboration. But it's still quite enjoyable -- especially if you think of it as a free CD since the Viloin Concerto deserves the full price. Following the same logic, you will find the Triple concerto and PC 0 very enjoyable as well.

Every violinist has a go at the Beethoven Violin Concerto. You can get 'em fast/slow, historic/modern, straight-up/self-indulgent...

What this one is ... just wonderful. Krebbers was the longtime concertmaster of the Concertgebouw. This performance almost feels like a labor of love from the orchestra and its conductor for an esteemed colleague. The tuttis are noble, Krebbers' playing is warm and truthful to Beethoven style. The pacing is middle of the road--fast enough to keep things moving but not frenetic a la Heifetz.

This recording got many positive reviews when it came out in the 1970s, and it deserves praise now. It would be hard to do better.

Este CD doble incluye 4 obras de concierto de Beethoven insuperables, primero una version de coleccion del concierto N° 5 "Emperador" Kovacevich es un solista de excepcion y Colin Davis hace que cualquier orquesta suene esplendida, resumiendo un concierto grandioso.

Continuamos con una joyita, el triple concierto (para abreviar)

es bellisimo, es simple pero claro para escuchar porque hacer que el cello no desaparezca al lado del violin ya es complicado y se le añadimos al piano, la obra de un maestro.

Szering, Starker y Arrau hacen su trabajo aunque al chileno le toca hacer el menor. La New Philharmonia es una gran orquesta e Inbal es un director correcto y pulcro.

Seguimos la audición y tenemos el formidable concierto para violin, tenemos a Krebbers en una interpretacion soberbia, y que junto al inigualable Bernard Haitink hacen que esta sea otra pieza grandiosa, Haitink es en todo caso mas solemne que algunos otros directores que harian de este concierto y lo han hecho una pieza mas elocuente.

Finalizamos con un plus, no soy experto en Beethoven y no conocia este concierto para piano, es una bella obra algo menor pero que tomando el contexto nada mejor para una coleccion de todas las obras de Beethoven. Un CD de precio economico sencillamente genial.

This is one of the best CD's I heard. The sound is natural and clear, as you were in a concert hall!