Track Listings (6) - Disc #1| All Artists: Beethoven, Levin, Gardiner, Orr Title: Piano Concertos 3 & 4 Members Wishing: 2 Total Copies: 0 Label: Archiv Produktion Release Date: 8/11/1998 Genre: Classical Styles: Forms & Genres, Concertos, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Instruments, Keyboard, Symphonies Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 028945760827 |
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Search - Beethoven, Levin, Gardiner :: Piano Concertos 3 & 4
 | Beethoven, Levin, Gardiner Piano Concertos 3 & 4 Genre: Classical
Robert Levin has some fascinating ideas about this music. He improvises cadenzas and lead-ins, embellishes the last movement of the Third Concerto, and generally plays with a kind of expressive freedom uncommon in period-i... more » |
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Amazon.com Robert Levin has some fascinating ideas about this music. He improvises cadenzas and lead-ins, embellishes the last movement of the Third Concerto, and generally plays with a kind of expressive freedom uncommon in period-instrument performances. That's all to the good, as is the energy and power of the orchestra's playing. But although the musicians obviously approved the balances of the recording (or it wouldn't have been issued), the fortepianos often sound as though they're being heard through the wrong end of an audio telescope, and you, too, often have to strain to hear what's going on. Maybe this is a realistic balance, but it's much more difficult listening than the fine set of Beethoven's piano concertos on period instruments with Steven Lubin and Christopher Hogwood (L'Oiseau-Lyre). --Leslie Gerber Similarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsWonderful! Andrew M. Klein | Washington, DC USA | 10/13/1999 (5 out of 5 stars) "Please see my comments on Levin's and Gardiner's Fifth Piano Concerto. I won't repeat those raves here, but this set also deserves high praise. I agree with the comment above that it is hard at first to hear the period piano -- if you are used to listening to this music at low volume. I suggest that you turn it up, and experience the playing of the orchestral parts, at FF and FFF anyway, with the force that they were intended to have! Then none of the fantastic piano performance will be lost." Two Compelling Performances Of Beethoven's Piano Concertos John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 01/18/2002 (5 out of 5 stars) "I've heard this recording at full volume and it is quite impressive. Levin has a lot of interesting ideas, especially with regards to cadenzas for both concerti, and most notably the Third, which I regard as one of the finest recorded performances I've heard. Levin comes across as a younger, more expressive Brendel, coaxing as much passion as he can from these antique pianos (However, it should be noted that the piano he uses for the Fourth Piano Concerto is a modern reproduction.). I was amazed to hear how expressive his playing is, despite the limitations in tonality so evident in both pianos. As far as his performance of the Fourth Piano Concerto is concerned, it is a commendable performance, though not nearly as inspirational as those I've heard from Arrau, Kovacevich, Perahia, Schiff, and especially, Kempff. Levin has excellent partners in Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Gardiner's chamber orchestra; the chemistry is absolutely first rate. I'm not sure whether this performance is better than the Lublin/Hodgewood recording, but I believe it is a fine account from a period instrument perspective." Great performances Matt | Virginia | 02/23/2007 (5 out of 5 stars) "These performances are simply astonishing. The ORR and Sir Gardiner are first rate yet again in their performances. Robert Levin is equally amazing on the period fortepiano. I think the sound of the instrument is very nice, and it never really seems out of place with the orchestra.
I thoroughly enjoy listening to this CD, and in particular the third piano concerto. I think this is one of Beethoven's most undervalued works. It marks the transition between "Galante (classical) Beethoven" and "Heroic Beethoven". Robert Levin performs this work quite well. His cadenza is different to say the least, but I like it very much. The rondo is really neat, as Levin adds embillishments (as was custom in Beethoven's day). The fourth piano concerto is pretty interesting in itself, but I like Levin's chamber version of the work more. Overall I'd say this CD is at least on par with Brendel's Beethoven Concerti. If you can find this disc you'd be wise to snatch it up right away." |
