Beethoven Piano Your resource for the piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven

asin: B000059RXI binding: Audio CD list price: $30.98 USD amazon price: $30.98 USD

VOX is proud to present an irresistible 6 CD set taken from Alfred Brendel's remarkable 36 album discography with the company. Made during the early years of his unique career, these recordings rightly established him as one of the foremost pianists of the century. The repertoire covered the complete works of Beethoven, most of Schubert's solo pieces, several Mozart concerti, some of the cornerstones of Franz Liszt's output and many other works. This set is fascinating because his early interpretations are different from his current ones and they show a towering artistic maturity shining through a young man's buoyant fiery energy.

author: Beethoven asin: B000LRYPX0 binding: Digital list price: $2.79 USD amazon price: $2.79 USD

Downloadable sheet music file

asin: B000207M0E binding: Audio CD list price: $14.99 USD amazon price: $14.99

3 CD Digipack.

asin: B000003XJY binding: Audio CD list price: $18.98 USD amazon price: $18.98

The great Russian pianist recorded these concertos again later in his career, with George Szell and the incomparable Cleveland Orchestra for EMI. Those recordings are also available on CD. However, the critical consensus seems to be that Emil Gilels was in better form here, even if Ludwig was no Szell and the Philharmonia can't match the Clevelanders in precision or collective virtuosity. Mind you, there's nothing at all wrong with the conducting or the playing--it's quite fine--but it's Gilels who carries the day. He was one of those artists with technique to burn, but who placed it firmly in the service of the most classically severe music he could find. The result is a particularly combustible blend of passion and intellect, particularly in evidence here. -- David Hurwitz