Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 / Mozart: Fantasia and Sonatas

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Friedrich Gulda is probably best know for his sensitive Mozart renditions, having dedicated great parts of his life's work to "the divine master" as he calls him. But on this superbly produced DVD the Beethoven Emperor concerto is the real stunner - a wonderful recording in which Gulda conducts as well as he plays. He is in total harmony and synch with a superb Munich Philharmonic, and the spirit of the whole performance is very moving. The audio and video of the great production are outstanding, another quality production from the House of Panasonic. These are the kinds of productions one buys a DVD player for!
The second part of the DVD has Gulda playing Mozart sonatas and those are pretty much the icing on the cake of an absolutely outstanding disc! Buy it for your collection and never regret it.

A very good DVD

I'd been looking for a DVD of Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto when I came across this disc that featured two independent recordings; Beethoven's Emperor Concerto in 1989 with the Munich Philharmonic, and then 3 Mozart piano sonatas in 1995.(also recorded in Munich).

I must admit I was unfamiliar with the name Friedrich Gulda (1930-2000) until this time. Initially, I was somewhat surprised by his causal attire when he arrived on stage; the concert appeared to have very laid-back atmosphere. However, Mr. Gulda proved to be a pianist extraordinaire, as was evident by his interpretation and skill with both the Beethoven and the Mozart. The playing is enthusiastic and passionate throughout, and despite looking decidedly older and more frail in the 1995 recordings, I liked the Mozart sonata in D major K 576 best of all the works on this disc.

The only negative is that the recording has picked up some of Mr. Gulda's humming and mutterings that occurred while he was playing. This was not particularly distracting to me but I mention it for the sake of completeness.

There is only scant information on the disc case and there is no booklet with this DVD but the disc has extra material on it giving some biography info on Mr. Gulda and a brief history of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. There is also an option to have some on screen musical analysis done while you're watching this recording.

All in all, a fine DVD to add to one's library of classical music.

imho mr guilda is a real entertainer and an artist. i have never witnessed one of his performances before. there is little doubt in my mind you will love the way he throws himself into the music. he plays extravagantly but i did not think his ego was too much on display-he simply makes you respond to the music the way he pours out the way he feels. what an entertainer! i loved it. it would be impossible not to play beethoven no. 5 again.

One man's quick notes:
Here's a performer just having a great day! All his lights are on, and he's a transmitter of joy and love for his craft. Completely relaxed. I even got the sense that the orchestra was delighted with his energy. I feel that this DVD would help anyone to turn on to classical - some of the most beautiful and daring music ever. Seeing Gulda here is almost like being at an Eckankar seminar. That heart-opening music. *** Highly recommended *** After the usual stiffness and dense formality of most classical concerts, Gulda truly tears the doors off and lets the sunlight in. (Not that the formal concerts can't reach the heights as well.) ***

I thoroughly enjoyed the 5th Concerto. The 2nd movement I personally thought was played unusally "fast", but it gives it another dimension otherwise not often heard. His interpretation of the music is brilliant. A vibrant performance!

If you love the works of the Master, i.e. Beethoven, and you love piano concertos, then you must have this DVD. The unconventional Gulda, a child prodigy, with the Munich Symphony Orchestra; how can you go wrong? With the brilliance of the Allegro and the Rondo, plus the tenderness of the 2nd movement, this is a must-have to any classical music lover's collection.

Listening to Mozart's music fill the soul with such hope and passion! This recording captures the essence and the magic of this brilliant composer.
Beethoven also excellent.

Fun to watch and listen!!! I've watched this DVD numerous times with friends from both the Chicago symphony and New York Phil. Even though the Munich Phil is a mediocre orchestra at best, and Gulda is dressed like a tourist, including a giant red wristwatch, there is no denying the extreme talent of Gulda. His extremely casual approach and horrible conducting just seem to enhance the effect watching this man so effortless play a really difficult concerto impressively. This guy was obviously a very talented pianist, and for some reason never got the recognition that he deserved. It's fun to watch, listen and marvel at this guy's extreme talent coming through in his silly outfits and casual approach. He is clearly an eccentric dude!!!

Don't judge a book by it's cover they say...just turn your head away for a moment, and listen to the sound eminating from that piano, and you will realize this man is one of the very greatest pianists of the 20th century. He has an absolutely fabulous touch. So much feeling!!! An absolutely amazing pianist!!!

The second part of the DVD shows him much older - in 1995, about 5 years before his death. He is somewhat more shaky, yet plays the Mozart with extreme precision and with such expression, wow! I can't say enough about the man's ability to really feel the music. His key touch is amazing!!! Again, I think this DVD is worth owning because Gulda will definitely keep you entertained. This DVD isn't for snobs, but if you like great music for the sake of nothing else than what music should be - beautiful and fun, you will love it!

It's rare to see the conductor/soloist as the same person, but this guy has done it. Incredible music, incredible technique.

And the pop-up video feature reminds me of the old VH1 show, set to a classical performance.

This is a LIVE recording, but the Beethoven and Mozart were recorded at different times with a lapse of 10 years or so.
Moreover, when the Mozart pieces were recorded, Gulda's was far from his top form, and when the camera changed one is rather shocked seeing how old he had become-- he could hardly stand on his feet firm enough albeit his fingers were still going and his wizardry was still amazing. However, viewers would easily notice that this time round, and for obviuos reasons, it's Mozart's pathos that has got the upper hand.

I find the wood winds of Munich Orchestra most appealing, particularly the clarinet, which compares favourably with the present Berlin Philharmonic. Needless to say, the strings as well as the other sections are all upfront. Here you can see that Gulda the solist/conductor competes well, had he chosen to be a conductor, with his masterclass pupil, Abbado and note their striking similarirties. And as a painist, he had even better control over the piano than his pupil, Martha Argerich and his understanding of music as well as his sense of structure and rhythm is so much stronger. Again, note the similarities between these two pianists, their touch or even their hands.

The recording may not be as good as some of the best labels, but photography pianistically is very good and would be able to satisfy the most fastidious viewers. The music Gulda made is a rarity and anyway there are only a few such films available. For those who find the Viennese School fascinating, they couldn't afford to miss it.