Beethoven: Emperor

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), André Previn (Conductor), Zubin Mehta (Conductor), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), New York Philharmonic (Orchestra), New York Choral Artists (Orchestra), Emanuel Ax (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Emanuel Ax
• Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, New York Choral Artists
• Conductor: André Previn, Zubin Mehta
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (June 9, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003F9Z
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,152 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Look elsewhere for better Beethoven, March 29, 2004

By 

Prescott Cunningham Moore (San Francisco, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Emperor (Audio CD)

Although this is a warm, lyrical reading of the Emperor concerto, Ax's performance is not something so special as to warrant purchasing this CD. Previn and the Royal Philharmonic do accompany the soloist well, but the sound is dull and muddy. There is little clarity in the orchestral playing, which does not translate well to CD.

The Choral Fantasy is performed terribly. Ax gives a moving performance, but Mehta and the Philharmonic seem to be at odds with the soloist. The sound is muddy, the chorus unclear, and the overall interpretation un-inspired.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Interpretation of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, May 18, 2001

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Emperor (Audio CD)

Although this isn't my primary recommendation for a great recording of Beethoven's 5th "Emperor" Piano Concerto, it is one worth considering. Ax gives a performance almost as lyrical and introspective as any from Brendel; he is clearly a splendid soloist. Previn and the Royal Philharmonic give a warm, vibrant reading of the score; judging from this recording Previn must be regarded as an underrated fine interpreter of Beethoven. Unfortunately it is coupled with a "Choral Fantasy" conducted by Zubin Mehta. The New York Philharmonic's performance is definitely inferior to the Royal Philharmonic's.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Can a Chopin style be applied to Beethoven?, June 14, 2006

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Emperor (Audio CD)

I think the relative disappointment of Emanuel Ax's early Beethoven recordings for RCA caused him to go back to Chopin, his real specialty. In the 'Emperor' he applies an even lighter touch than Murray Perahia, who also gave us a refined, unheroic interpretation. There's no denying the sophistication of Ax's painism, but if you can't attack Beethoven with robust energy, the battle is lost before it starts. Actually, Ax's solo entry in the first movement promises a reading with authority, but Previn then enters half asleep, and as the rhythms slacken and the sonority turns polite, Ax goes along with his ocnductor.

Ax can't bring himself to throw caution to the wind in the Choral Fansty, which for me is the only approach that works. He is tidy and refined instead, and one loses interest very quickly. I expected Mehta to liven things up, but he is in the doldrums, too. Even at bargain price I would shy away from this CD unless you must have this exact pairing (which, even then, is much better done by Barenboim and Klemperer on EMI).