Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Emperor

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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.

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.

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).