Fine performances, poor programming by EMI
J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 08/16/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is another strange example of how classical music distribution at least in the U.S. just makes no sense. Currently EMI has chosen to distribute the Gilels/Szell/Cleveland Orchestra set of Beethoven Piano Concertos nos. 1-4 in the U.S., but NOT Concerto no. 5 "Emperor" which is contained here. This makes no logical sense. This last concerto along with Dvorak's Eighth is NOT out of print, but is simply not distributed in the U.S. I know it is available in Europe because I just purchased it in London. It is a shame EMI has chosen to break up the set of concertos because this "Emperor" is one of the best around today with crisp, detailed, characterful playing from Gilels and unusually sharp and energetic playing from the Cleveland Orchestra under Szell. Together with concertos 1-4 this set in my opinion rivals the Kovacevich/Davis set on Philips for its consistently good sound and glorious pianism. The Dvorak Eighth, although an unusual coupling, is very enjoyable. Szell recorded this symphony earlier for CBS Masterworks, and if you own that one there is no need to go for this one as they are almost identical readings. The only advantage here is the superior sound quality. Szell of course had a special affinity with Dvorak, and the central section of the third movement shows the Cleveland strings in all their glory and the folk song nature of this symphony comes through well. All in all these performances are recommended highly, but I have deducted one star for EMI's poor planning."
Among the best performances of both works
Tom Gossard | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I could save myself a lot of writing and opining and just strongly second everything Cantabile has written. I would add however that for someone who really likes the romantic side of Beethoven, Gilels may not be for you. His playing may seem cool and not very emotionally involved in the music. In this as with most piano literature, Gilels takes a more detached point of view and concentrates on clarity and balanced proportion of melody, harmony and rhythm, less on excitement or emotion, though not really lacking in either respect. His technique is prodigious. This can be thrilling, and here it certainly is, accompanied by a like-minded and similarly exacting conductor in Szell. A word about the sound. Severance Hall, where Szell and Cleveland performed and recorded, is on the dry side acoustically (which in itself can be a good thing or not). Columbia/CBS, the label that made by far the greatest number of albums with Cleveland during the Szell years, tended to record more up close and goose up the dynamic and that accentuated the dryness, sometimes to the point of harshness. (Fortunately the CD reissues on Sony Classics have gone back to the original master tapes and restored a more natural balance to the sound.) EMI recorded this album, and they aimed for and got a more pleasing, balanced and I think warmer sound without sacrificing clarity. Bottom line, though more than thirty years old, this Gilels/Szell recording is among the best sonically because it doesn't get in the way of the performers, rather captures them at their best and most flattering.I hope this adds something to what Cantabile wrote that may be helpful to anyone considering trying this CD."
The Dvorak is enjoyable, but Gilels and Szell are undistingu
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 06/08/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Pace the two reviewers below who love these recordings, Gilels made a much more vigorous and involving version of the Emperor Concerto with Leopold Ludwig in 1957 (now an EMI Great Recording of the Century)), and Szell made a classic one with Leon Fleisher in the early Sixties for Columbia/Sony. Why this remake is so cautious, to the point of being tepid, no one knows. Gilels got more staid with age. The other four concertos in their complete Beethoven cycle for EMI are much the same, so clearly these two renowned artists agreed on the approach. Every movement is done with first-rate musicianship, but there's no spark or inner life--listen to how they sleepwalk through the slow movement and the lack of panache in the finale. Critics were less than impressed, as they remain to this day.
Szell counted Dvorak among his strongest composers, and Sony has reissued his Dvorak Eighth Sym. many times, including on their pretigious Masterworks Heritage line. This remake for EMI remains in the Szell style--precise, steady in tempo, and unsentimental--which for me is much less desirable than the warmer, heartfelt approach of Bruno Walter and Istvan Kertesz. But on its own terms it's impressive, and of course the Cleveland Orch. plays with beauty and great discipline--perhaps too much for this genial work. Szell's tempos had become a touch slack in old age, but the performance represents his cool, objective way quite faithfully."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1