Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Günter Wand, Cologne Radio Orchestra :: Beethoven: Piano Concerto in E flat Major, Op. 73; Ouverture Coriolan, Op. 62; Ouverture Fidelio, Op. 72

A Great Live 'Emperor' from Gilels and Wand

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 07/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Günter Wand was for several decades the conductor of the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne and it was only after he left that post that he began conducting, as a guest, the other important orchestra in Cologne, that of WDR (West-Deutsch Rundfunk, West German Radio), a great orchestra mostly devoted to playing modern music. Over the years they developed a strong rapport. As Volume 4 of its Günter Wand Edition the newish Profil label (brainchild of Günter Hänssler) presents, along with Wand-conducted performances of the Coriolan and Fidelio Overtures, a stunning 1974 performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, the 'Emperor,' featuring the larger-than-life pianist Emil Gilels in his only collaboration with Wand. And the result is cherishable, both for Gilels poetic interpretation and for Wand's and his orchestra's nuanced and supportive contribution. There is a real sense of occasion in this performance and thus it is easy to dismiss as unimportant Gilel's few dropped notes (primarily in the finale). I found myself literally clapping my hands in the isolation of my own listening room at the concerto's conclusion.



There are many felicities in this performances. Among them are the last few transitional measures of the Adagio where Gilels slows down more than most pianists, playing incredibly softly and conveying an almost unbearable anticipation that leads to an almost ferocious attack on that 6/8 rondo theme that begins the finale. And mirroring that anticipation is the colloquy, just before the final measures, between soloist and timpani, given emphasis as is only fitting for this quintessentially Beethovenian unconventionality -- a stroke of genius given its due. Gilel's molding of phrases throughout demands the listener's closest attention, the mark of a great player. The WDR's playing is ravishing and I single out the solo flutist's lovely contribution. I will continue to treasure this recording, I suspect, as the years wear on.



The CD is rounded out with two solid performances, also from the middle 1970s, of the WDR under Wand playing 'Coriolan' and the not-too-often played (outside the opera house, of course) 'Fidelio' Overtures.



To repeat, I strongly recommend this issue for its incandescent 'Emperor' performance.



TT=55:02



Scott Morrison"

Mastering required

manicm | Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa | 07/08/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Look, the performance is first rate, however the sound quality leaves much to be desired. This recording is in desperate need of remastering. DG does it, and so can this label. It's like the orchestra is hidden somewhere there and screaming to get out! Thus the three stars."

A ponderous 'Emperor' and pretty good overtures

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/13/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"With due respect to Mr. Morrison, I got no sense of occasion from this draggy, loggy Emperor from 1974. toward the end, Gilels took seriousness too far and lapsed into ponderousness. considering that he had a world-class technique, I was astonished that he could take the finale so slowly and make such heavy weather of it. There isn't much outstanding about Wand's quite conventional conducting, and the sound quality is no better than good FM stereo. I feel like I'm putting nails into coffins, but the cologne Radio Orch. is nobody's idea of a great ensemble, although it's a good one.



The CD ends with a very forceful, well-conceive Coriolan Over. that held my attention and a conventional 'Fidelio' Over. that lacked a bit in dramatic suspense and featurees a feeble horn section. In all, this was a disappointing disc given the high praise being accorded to it."