Emperor Archive
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concertos; The Late Sonatas – Wilhelm Kempff, p. – APR (4 CDs)
The early Beethoven legacy from Wilhelm Kempff – sonatas and concertos – with excellent restoration in these inscriptions. BEETHOVEN: Piano Concertos = Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15; Bagatelle in C Major, Op. 33, No. 5; Six Ecossaises in E-flat Major, WoO83; Concerto No. 3 in c minor, Op. 37; Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58; Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major “Emperor,” Op. 73; Rondo a capriccio in G Major “Rage over a lost penny,” Op. 129 – Berlin State Opera Orch./ Dresden Philharmonic Orch./ German Opera House Orch./ Paul van Kempen (Nos. 3 & 4)/ Berlin Philharmonic Orch./ Peter Raabe (No. 5)/ Wilhelm Kempff, p. – APR 6019 (2 CDs) 75:34, 77:38 (2/26/16) [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] ****: BEETHOVEN: The Late Sonatas = No. 24 in F-sharp Major, Op. 78; No. 26 in E-flat Major “Les adieux,” Op. 81a; No. 27 in e minor, Op. 90; No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101; No. 29 in B-flat Major “Hammerklavier,” Op. 106; No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109; No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110; No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111/ Wilhelm Kempff, p. – APR 6018 (2 Discs) 76:02, 71:26 (1/29/16) [Distr. […]
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor”; Choral Fantasy in C minor – Leif Ove Andsnes, piano and cond./ Mahler Ch. Orch. – Choral Fantasy – Leif Ove Andsnes, piano and cond./ Mahler Ch. Orch. / Prague Philharmonic Choir/ Lukas Vasilek – Sony Classical
The conclusion of Andsnes’ Beethoven Journey presents us heroism and poetry in artful harmony, well-recorded.
Mordecai Shehori plays BEETHOVEN, Vol. 2 = Cembal d’amour
More elegantly “musical” Beethoven from Mordecai Shehori, who eschews mere bravura for intelligence and authenticity of expression.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor”; SCHUMANN: Fantasy in C Major – Yundi, p./ Berlin Philharmonic/ Daniel Harding – DGG
Chinese virtuoso Yundi performs Beethoven and Schumann passionately and aggressively, likely not suited to veteran tastes.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, “Emperor”; Choral Fantasia in C Minor for Piano, Chorus, and Orchestra – Philippe Entremont, piano/Choeur de l’ORTF/Orchestre National de l’ORTF/Jean Martinon – Cascavelle
Performances from Jean Martinon’s Beethoven bicentennial concerts that resound with energy and high definition, grandly festive.