Beethoven: The Piano Concertos [Box set]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Krystian Zimerman (Conductor, Performer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Krystian Zimerman
• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Krystian Zimerman, Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (October 13, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GG6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,060 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really good set, February 8, 2000

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven: The Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

These performances are stylish and lively. Zimerman is outstanding (and he even conducts), and the thing I like the best is that you can really hear the piano and orchestral detail very clearly. The recording balance of the soloist and orchestra is close which brings fantastic sound. The concertos Bernstein conducts with Zimerman at the keyboard are also quite good, with Bernstein avoiding some of the slow speeds that seemed to plague the last few years of his recording career. The playing of the VPO is peerless as expected.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Believe me: THIS is the best set of Beethoven's Piano Concertos., February 3, 2006

By 

Gustaw Jokiel (Olsztyn, Warmia, Poland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: The Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

Krystian Zimerman is my absolute No. 1 among the pianists of our time, not because he's Polish of course, but because he is a true magician. He is often accused, though, that his recordings lack passion, some kind of spontaneity etc. Indeed, it is a fact that Zimerman prepares each of them very carefully and releases them rarely. It is a fact that he studies the notes very long and corrects almost every phrase played before, in order to find even better way of interpretation. But I ask: what's the matter? Do this spontaineity really is necessary while buing a recording, especially a set of recordings? Or maybe one rather seeks his/her ideal, perfect in technique and deep in interpretation, and every "scratch" on these technique and interpretation makes him disappointed? Well, I know that I am such a person; when I buy a recording, I want it to be ideal. Absolute ideal. Whereas for Beethoven's e.g. Violin Concerto or Fidelio I haven't managed to find my ideal - I actually have for Missa Solemnis (Gardiner!), String Quartets (Alexander)... and for the magnificent Piano Concertos.

This set doesn't give me much place to write about, because, as I've just said, there is not even a scratch on this precious gem. Zimerman plays so wonderfully, that when I got the set and listened to all the pieces - I knew I'd immediately forget about my all 3 previous sets of the Concertos. And this happened. Now I listen to it no matter which movement of which concerto I want to hear, because here it is played far better than anywhere else. Do you imagine every note, every second played perfectly? I bet that in all recordings you have there are some moments you'd want to correct, play better. Not here. The cadenzas, brilliant. Parts in the foreground, as well as in the background, behind the orchestra, brilliant.

As for the orchestra, I can say with pleasure, that Bernstein is surely in his best form here. He doesn't conduct too slow, as he often does; he is the master of the orchestra, he controls them totally.

I should shut up, because it's getting too long, but one small thing: just listen to the samples. The comparison of small details in different recordings is great fun. I don't know whether it is in the sample, but try to compare e.g. the sound of the orchestra in the main theme of the Emperor Concerto's 1st movement in few recordings. Only here it is such a magnificent, sharp, clear melody. Or the beginning of Rondos in the 1st and 3rd. Or... OK, finished.

This is the recording of your dreams. Believe me.

Pozdrawiam,
Gustaw

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I need more stars!, October 18, 2010

By 

Kaye Hutchins "BikerK" (Dallas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beethoven: The Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

Breathtakingly amazing! Mr Zimerman has been my favorite artist for a number of years, but he's outdone himself with this one. Many times emotion is compromised by technique. Not here. Tears are streaming down my face. It's simply overwhelmingly beautiful.