Customer Reviews

Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos; Choral Fantasy

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

 

 

Emanuel Ax really understands the poetic heart of this music. He highlights the dark melancholy of beethoven's music without ever becoming sacharine or sentimental. However, those looking for a barn burnig version of these concertos would do well to look elseware: Ax's performance is understated, with a focus on nuance, precision, color and dynamic shading. He never resorts to vulgar clanging in the forte passages. While not lacking in passion, his performance simly lets the music speak for itself.
One minor quible: the Choral Fantasy sounds like it was recorded in a TB ward, and the overall sound of this piece is notably inferior to the rest of the cycle. This is understandable, because the Fantasy was recorded live and at a different venue than the other recordings.
For an excellent Choral Fantasy, check out Helene Grimaud's "Credo" on DG.
Buy this set for the concertos.

I bought this box set of Beethovens piano concertos on a whim about one month ago and what a nice surprise that turned out to be. The CD containing concertos 3 and 4 has been (by far) the most frequently played disc in our household ever since. Ax, with his sublime technique, really shines in these two and Previn is in perfect sync with him. I also have to commend the producers: The sound, balance etc. is excellent and puts a lot of more recent recordings to shame.

This marvelous collection of Ax playing Beethoven's piano concertos and fantasia is exactly the type of performance that propels Ax's reputation as probably the leading living piano virtuoso. His rapport with the orchestras is amazing...a stunning blend of dynamics and tempo. These are clear, compelling recordings. Quite a bargain!

With masters like Andre Previn, Zubin Mehta and the New York and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras; Emanuel Ax performing, the cover alone sold me this version of Beethoven's 5 Piano Concertos. Unfortunately the sound is very very inconsistent, especially the Choral Fantasy (I hope they know where this was recorded so they never do it again). At times it reminded me of a vinyl record played with a needle full of fuzz. Surely RCA/Sony can re-digitize better than this. This effort was woeful, at best. Too bad...Beethoven deserves better (as does the listening public) and if alive would hunt down the dogs that made this recording. I played it once, racked it up to experience, vowed never to play it again and will search for a better production (advice duly appreciated). My apologies to those who have reviewed this product more positively, but the quality of this recording is pathetic. I gave it 1 star primarily because I couldn't figure out how to give it less. I do prefer vinyl by the way...clean the needle and there's nothing finer.