Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1; Piano Concerto No. 2; Piano Concerto No. 3; Piano Concerto No. 4; Piano Concerto No. 5; Piano Sonata in E flat, Op. 31/3

Rubinstein recorded all five concertos during December 1956, and the Sonata (in mono) two years earlier. The CD sound is rich and full, although detail in tuttis is sometimes lacking and seldom is there a real pianissimo. The performances are as distinguished as one would expect of this artist in his prime, and only in the Concerto No. 3, which suffers from a sluggish tempo in the opening movement, does the music fail to catch fire. Terry Barfoot

Our rating

4

Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:47 pm

COMPOSERS: Beethoven
LABELS: RCA Victor Gold Seal
WORKS: Piano Concerto No. 1; Piano Concerto No. 2; Piano Concerto No. 3; Piano Concerto No. 4; Piano Concerto No. 5; Piano Sonata in E flat, Op. 31/3
PERFORMER: Arthur Rubinstein (piano)Symphony of the Air/Josef Krips
CATALOGUE NO: 09026 61260 2 (3 discs) ADD (1956/54)

Rubinstein recorded all five concertos during December 1956, and the Sonata (in mono) two years earlier. The CD sound is rich and full, although detail in tuttis is sometimes lacking and seldom is there a real pianissimo. The performances are as distinguished as one would expect of this artist in his prime, and only in the Concerto No. 3, which suffers from a sluggish tempo in the opening movement, does the music fail to catch fire. Terry Barfoot

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