Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"; Fantasia

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), John Alldis (Conductor), Bernard Haitink (Conductor), London Philharmonic Chorus (Orchestra), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Alfred Brendel (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alfred Brendel
• Orchestra: London Philharmonic Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: John Alldis, Bernard Haitink
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (September 15, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000414H
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,429 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major ('Emperor'), Op. 73: Allegro

2. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major ('Emperor'), Op. 73: Adagio un poco moto

3. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major ('Emperor'), Op. 73: Rondo, Allegro

4. Fantasia for piano, chorus, and orchestra ('Choral Fantasy'), Op. 80: Adagio

5. Fantasia for piano, chorus, and orchestra ('Choral Fantasy'), Op. 80: Finale, Allegro

6. Fantasia for piano, chorus, and orchestra ('Choral Fantasy'), Op. 80: Allegretto ma non troppo, quasi Andante con moto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best recordings of Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto, April 17, 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: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"; Fantasia (Audio CD)

While this fine recording won't replace those I have of Arrau, Kempff, Kovacevich or Perahia as soloists, this is still one worth owning. Although Brendel doesn't quite give as vibrant or warm a performance as his early 1980's Philips recording with James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, it remains among his best. Brendel's playing isn't as dramatic as Arrau's or Kempff's, but it is replete with tension of its own, such as the opening themes of the first and third movements. Brendel knows when to unleash his emotions, without forsaking his technical skills at the keyboard. Having spent much time thinking and writing about Beethoven, it isn't surprising that he gives a very thoughtful, compassionate performance of this concerto. If you can acquire two recordings of Brendel's performances of this concerto, then do get this CD along with his 1980's version.

Bernard Haitink and the London Philharmonic give a performance as memorable as any that Haitink has had with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. His conducting is rich with compassion and understanding for Beethoven's music, and never once does he or the orchestra get in the way of Brendel's playing. This is yet another fine example why Haitink is one of our great interpreters of Beethoven.

Philips' engineers did an outstanding job in producing this well-balanced recording, among their finest late analogue recordings. I'm not sure whether the latest advances in digital sound enhancement could vastly improve its sound quality. I was quite amazed to hear the superb clarity of sound coming from flutes and oboes. I have to recommend this recording for its excellent sound quality as well as for its fine performance.

3 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive Emperor!, December 2, 1999

By 

"nucmed" (Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"; Fantasia (Audio CD)

From the grand opening chord to the unspeakably sweet Adagio to the exciting finale, this is a memorable performance of Beethoven's last concerto.