Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, 'Emperor' /Piano Sonata No. 28 in A

Helen Grimaud (Artist), Beethoven (Composer), Jurowski (Conductor), Staatskapelle Dresden (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Staatskapelle Dresden
• Conductor: Jurowski
• Composer: Beethoven
• Audio CD (October 9, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000RP4LEO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,590 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #88 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > By Period > Romantic (c.1820-1910)

Editorial Reviews

This is the stuff from which magic is made: Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73--known as the "Emperor" Concerto, heroic and powerful--performed by one of our most distinctive pianists, Hélène Grimaud. The excellent Staatskapelle Dresden is led by one of today's young stars on the podium, Vladimir Jurowski, a charismatic musical genius who was recently appointed London Philharmonic Orchestra's principal conductor. The chemistry between these musicians has the potential to create an extraordinary musical experience. On this album, the Concerto is coupled with a piano sonata out of Beethoven's late compositional phase where--noticeable in the slow movement of the concerto as well--the composer's concern for lyricism had deepened. Thus intimacy and delicacy are the features in the beautiful Piano Sonata No. 28, Op. 101 chosen by Grimaud. This project proves the modernity of Beethoven, firstly by the passionate interpretation of Grimaud and secondly by her being such an excellent communicator of her intentions and perceptions: "What makes Beethoven an extremely modern composer is this extreme vitality, the desire to never give up, and also this foreverendearing, extremely touching characteristic of the music to always strive to ascend, to really get beyond the frailties and the failures of the human condition by always looking up and trying to reconcile the top and the bottom, the vertical and the horizontal. That is still the struggle of people today--this is what makes Beethoven so timeless."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MARVELOUS PERFORMANCES OF BEETHOVEN'S "EMPEROR" & OPUS 101, October 9, 2007

By 

RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, 'Emperor' /Piano Sonata No. 28 in A (Audio CD)

Five MARVELOUS Stars!! Brilliant French piano virtuoso Hélène Grimaud has conjured up highly enjoyable and individualistic interpretations of two awe-inspiring Ludwig Van Beethoven compositions: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Opus 73 (which fans have given the name "Emperor", but not by Beethoven himself); and the Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Opus 101: which Beethoven called "a series of impressions and reveries". Widely known for her thoughtful and personal interpretations of the classical master composers, Ms Grimaud has continued to widen her overall repertoire and, in this case, to deepen her personal Beethoven performance treasury. It is also said the extraordinary Ms Grimaud has a natural form of the condition called synesthesia: in her case she actually experiences music as colors and maybe that's the special quality we are hearing in her wonderful interpretations which have so much verve and flare. Ms Grimaud is wonderfully supported by the splendid Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra under the baton of Vladimir Jurowski for Opus 73. Here, Ms Grimaud shows herself to be a very thoughtful yet powerful, philosophical, and deeply individualistic performer who gives the listener a new viewpoint of Beethoven's astounding creations.

Both performances of these masterworks are 'Pieces De Resistance', but of special note to me is Ms Grimaud's stupendous reading of "Emperor"s Allegro movement with soaring, empathetic support from the Staatskapelle Dresden. Then there is the poetic reading of the second and third movements: the Adagio un poco mosso and the elegant and joyous Rondo. I DO "hear thoughts, reflections, and ideas" delivered in what she calls a "contemporary" version of "Emperor". My favorite version of "Emperor" remains that of the legendary Guiomar Novaes and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra under Jonel Perlea in the 1950s, but this is a most impressive and individualistic reading by Ms Grimaud. That's also certainly true of the four movement Opus 101 where Ms Grimaud unleashes new textures and dynamism in her version, especially in the impressive flow and exposition of movement IV (Geschwind). Decades into her brilliant career, Hélène Grimaud continues to deliver stunning, thoughtful interpretations of the classics, as exemplified by this excellent recording. Kudos to Vladimir Jurowsk and the Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra. The recording is clear and crisp. My Highest Recommendation. Five IMPRESSIVE Stars!!!
(This review is based on an iTunes digital download.)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A triumphant and fiery interpretation, May 17, 2008

By 

C. B Collins Jr. (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, 'Emperor' /Piano Sonata No. 28 in A (Audio CD)

Helen Grimaud is a considerable talent and her interpretation of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 is passionate and powerful. She style is so very clear and crisp.

The first movement, the Allegro, is full of passion and emotion. The hints of triumphal marches, the force and drive of the work, can only be described as heroic and powerful. Yet this theme is countered with wit and poetry as the movement is reconciled.

The second movement, Adagio un poco mosso, is delicate and warm. The delicacy of the piano compliments the warmth of the horns and violins much like dew on leaves in morning light. The piece is sweet yet graceful and fluid for it never is too sweet. It ascends and then resolves the ascension with warm compassion.

The third movement, the Rondo, is massive. The piano seems to dance with the orchestra as your concentration shifts back and forth between orchestra and piano. The heroic seems to be tamed in this final movement and yet remains full of energy and fire. The third movement also seems to me to be most grounded in a sense of the 18th century with its evocations of waltz and military pomp. The piano is allowed to play the witty commentator upon the regal orchestra to great effect.

Whereas in the first and third movements the piano is a witty commentator upon the force of the orchestra until given reign and shows considerable emotion and passion. The middle passage contrasts beautifully with the first and third in that the piano becomes light,lyric, delicate against the tapestry like warmth of the orchestra.

A fine listening experience.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great performance, August 25, 2010

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Guitar Player - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, 'Emperor' /Piano Sonata No. 28 in A (Audio CD)

For those who bash Helene Grimaud about wolves and such, take this. Just fantastic. I have several well regarded Emperors: Serkin, Pollini, Kissin. This one is the equal of any of these. Poetic and powerful with great sound.

Same can be said of 101 - I like this one as much as I like Pollini and infinitely better than John O'Connor. It takes great control and depth of feeling to pull off late Beethoven and she does it. Sound is much better than Pollini.

I guess the thing I like most about these performances is that they aren't cookie cutter, there are slightly different turns of phrases that generally work very well. And these are really powerful performances in both the heat of the moment and when things slow down. She knows when to push and when to pull back. I get the feeling she is challenging herself somewhat on these very difficult pieces, and I admire that she fully rises to the challenge. I like to hear the stress and emotion coming through a performance.

Not particularly relevant but that is why Hamelin leaves me cold. He is a technical machine who churns out difficult pieces seemingly without the slightest effort. I like things a little more thought out and perhaps just a little rough around the edges, with plenty of passion. Like this performance.