"As a pianist, I have played one of the Beethoven Piano Concertos and have heard all of them performed many times. This recording is one of the best I have heard. I particularly recommend Pollini's interpretation of the Emperor Concerto (No. 5) -- he plays with majestic abandon, and the effect is inspiring."
Pollini vs. Pollini!
Patrick Pierre-Louis | Delmas, Haiti | 04/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I totally agree with Antonio Perci for his commentary about the fourth concerto. Having listened to Pollini and Abbado, I tried Arrau who used to be my favorite, then Zimerman and Kempf. As often it happens to me with Pollini, when I go back to my ancient favorites I realize how difficult it is to rival his art made of precision, balance, clarity, fidelity to the scores. Really, you should listen to the fourth and the magic of the first movement. I have one regret. The second movement of the fifth, although quite impressive when compared with other interpretations, does not match the standards that Pollini himself established in 1979 with Bohm. But Pollini does make up for the fourth."
Excellent live recording!
Johnathan Flanders | New Orleans | 10/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is how the Beethoven concertos should be played - with majesty and grandeur. After buying this Pollini recording, I find other recordings lacking in these aspects. If you are going to buy one recording of the concertos, this should be it. The live aspect, I think, is not really noticeable. Maybe one or two audience coughs but that is to be expected. These interpretations of Pollini are too good to turn down based on the fact that it's a live recording. This set includes the DEFINITIVE recording of the 4th Concerto. I challenge anyone to find a better performance. Pollini knows Beethoven, trust me. I've listened to over 20 different interpretations and in my opinion Pollini's performances here come the closest to the composer's intentions. The Berlin Philharmonic does an excellent job with the accompaninent as well. Not to be missed!"
Great Pollini, great Abbado, great BPO
Antonio Percci | Santiago, Chile | 07/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This set is one of the best examples of Beethoven's music. With a great sound by th BPO, a good conduction from Abbado (the best complement of Pollini) with a glorious playing of Maurizio Pollini. Hear him in the three moods of the 4th concerto, or the spirit in "emperor" and the misterius touch in the 3th. With profundity and plenitude these artist joined the best of them and give us an excellent recording. One but: Why them don't record th choral fantasy?. Listen them. The best: 4th concerto. Listen it"