Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra :: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5

Ludwig van Beethoven, Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (3) - Disc #1
1. I. Allegro:- Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat 'Emperor' Op. 73
2. II. Adagio un poco moto:- Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat 'Emperor' Op. 73
3. III. Rondo: Allegro, ma non troppo:- Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat 'Emperor' Op. 73

CD Details

All Artists: Ludwig van Beethoven, Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra, Evgeny Kissin
Title: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: EMI Classics
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 10/20/2009
Genre: Classical
Styles: Forms & Genres, Concertos, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 5099926818627

Synopsis

Album Description

There are few living pianists so well-known and with such legendary status as Evgeny Kissin. A former child prodigy, Kissin came to international attention in March 1984 when, at the age of twelve, he performed Chopin's Piano Concertos 1 and 2 with the Moscow State Philharmonic. Since then he has gone on to win countless prizes and plaudits.

CD Reviews

The best of Kissin's recent Beethoven cycle

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 11/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EMI is splitting up the complete Beethoven concertos with Kissin and Colin Davis into three individual CDs. This one of the 'Emperor' is the least generous at a skimpy 42 min., yet it's probably the best performance in the whole cycle. Virtuosos who feel hemmed in by the earlier concertos long to cut loose in the 'Emperor,' as well they should. Thankfully, Davis provides a vigorous platform, adopting the same tempos as James Levine did for Sony in Kissin's earlier recording, which I raved over. The pianist doesn't barnstorm with quite the bravura energy he showed under Levine, which I miss, but he's up to every task. He offers a tender account of the second theme in the first movement, suggesting the more poetic young Kissin.

Besides brilliant passagework, there's a touch of Pollini's respectful sobriety and nuanced phrasing -- notice that Kissin handles the opening solo flourish with considerable care as to phrasing. Ideally one wants Serkin's impetuosity that breaks unexpectedly into quiet rapture. Kissin doesn't provide that magical contrast, but he's very impressive on his own terms. Davis takes us to chruch in the slow movement, while Kissin's lyrical line is more straightforward. As expected, he plays the crowded chords and craggy leaps in the finale to a fare-thee-well. In all, this is a fine "Emperor," not far below the very best (i.e., Serkin-Bernstein, Kempff-Leitner, Kissin-Levine, to name some personal favorites)."