COMPOSERS: Beethoven
LABELS: Decca Ovation
WORKS: Piano Concerto No. 1; Piano Concerto No. 2
PERFORMER: Vladimir Ashkenazy, Vienna PO/Zubin Mehta
CATALOGUE NO: 430 750-2 ADD (1984)
A guarded welcome for the Ashkenazy/VPO/Mehta partnership in Beethoven’s first two Piano Concertos. Ashkenazy’s earlier Chicago collaboration with Solti – underlined by greater tension, more expressive freedom and tighter orchestral attack, as well as cleaner pianism – is preferable. Likewise his own later (conductorless) version with the Cleveland Orchestra (both Decca). Ates Orga
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1; Piano Concerto No. 2
A guarded welcome for the Ashkenazy/VPO/Mehta partnership in Beethoven’s first two Piano Concertos. Ashkenazy’s earlier Chicago collaboration with Solti – underlined by greater tension, more expressive freedom and tighter orchestral attack, as well as cleaner pianism – is preferable. Likewise his own later (conductorless) version with the Cleveland Orchestra (both Decca). Ates Orga
Our rating
3
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:37 pm