Customer Reviews

Mozart: Piano Concertos no 8, 23 & 24 / Wilhelm Kempff

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This disc contains nearly 80 minutes of greatness. Two of Mozart's greatest piano concertos, a lesser known early opus, and this re-mastered material from the DG archives sounds better than yesterday! Those who know Kempff as a great interpreter of Beethoven will love his lyrical and supple playing on this recording. With so many choices in this reportoire, this would be a great place to start, and as always with DG 'Originals', the price is right. A terrific recording for Mozart lovers, seasoned and new.

These are the greatest performances of Piano Concertos No.s 23 and 24 available. The outside movements of No. 23 never sounded more genial or hearbreakingly beautiful in the hands of Kempff, the first movement will leave you breathless! By contrast, the second movement is very sad, the intensity of which leaves other recordings by the likes of Perahia, Kovacevich, and Curzon distances behind.

No. 24 is an absolute winner, no other pianist captures the meaning of the piece like Kempff. Previously I had fell for the few nice touches by Perahia on the piece, but after hearing Kempff more closely, I realized that Perahia hardly scratched the surface of the piece when compared to Kempff (especially in the first movement). Kempff plays the second movement absolutely beautifully; although it is faster than some, he brings out all the magic in one of the most touching statements by Mozart. The final movement is played most disquietingly, with much more depth than ever I have heard.

This is by far the best recording of concertos nos. 23 & 24. In fact, this is one of the best recordings of any Mozart concerto. Ever. Kempff plays with effortless grace and deep feeling, perfectly capturing both the gaity and the pathos of Mozart's music. Leitner's accompaniment is superb. The remastered sound is very good. And it's at bargain price!

Also enthusiastically recommended is Rudolf Serkin's magnificent recording of concertos nos. 17, 19, & 20, with Alexander Schneider and George Szell, on a mid-price Sony set called "Legendary Interpretations".

Wilhelm Kempff is widely known as sublime master in Beethoven, Schumann and Schubert, but his Mozart is captivatingly sublime and if I may, classic in the Greek sense of the term.

This version of the 23th piano Concerto stands out as one of the most outstanding performances ever recorded and together with the mesmerizing performance of Clara Haskil.

The 24th Concerto to my view, has no parallel, Kempff displays an anthological performance that blends, pristine musicality, radiant classicism and that magisterial profundity that demands such work.

Ferdinand Leitner is unsurpassable in his role as conductor. This CD is a must-have in your personal collection.

This disc is a 'must have' for everyone interested in classical music.

Mozart's No. 23 and No.. 24 piano concerti are two pieces that one 'hears' all too often either performed or recorded. In my long search for 'the' performance, it took me some decades before I got Kempff and Leitner on this album. I have listened to Haskil's, Brendel's, Anda's, Kirkpatrick's, and for No. 24 more recently, Kissin's. Fine interpretors of Mozart they are all, especially the first three.

However, Kempff and Leitner really blew me off in this recording. If you consider that Kempff lived in roughly the same years as Clara Haskil (though he did enjoy considerably more longevity), then there were TWO top flight Mozart pianists, NOT just one, had Kempff performed more and recorded more Mozart.

The basic difference between Kempff and Haskil appears to be this: Haskil had more flair and elegance, while Kempff, though never lacking in these aspects, was more 'involved' in the musical expressiveness, and dwelt even more deeper into the score's inner demands. The No. 24 is grandiose, elegant, and at the same time heartbreakingly moving. Just listen to the third movement, and you will agree that it would have worth ALL the money you spent JUST for that movement alone.

And having listened to Kempff's No. 23, I loath to hear any other pianist performing it live unless with adequate amount of 'involvement' as did Kempff, if not 'all' his involvement.

Leitner really worked with Kempff as hand-in-glove in these recordings.

The sound quality is absolutely top-notch.