This CD features two of Beethoven’s most popular and lyrical concertos, recorded in stereo by Columbia in 1959 and 1960.

Good copies of Leonid Kogan LPs are like gold dust and consequently have become highly cherished by collectors; first edition pressings in excellent condition of this recording of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto generally fetch prices well in excess of £2500.

By this stage of his career Hans Richter-Haaser was perceived to be one of the finest pianists in this repertoire and his grand style of playing with careful observance of dynamics is well suited to the warmth of the Abbey Road acoustic.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
1   Allegro ma non troppo – Cadenza – Tempo 1 24.45
2   Larghetto 9.40
3   Rondo (Allegro – Cadenza – Tempo 1) 9.23
Cadenzas by Joachim

Leonid Kogan (violin)   
L’Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, Paris   
Constantin Silvestri

Columbia SAX 2386 (YLX 1052-1 / 1053-1) 
Recorded Salle Wagram, Paris 16 November 1959

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
4   Allegro moderato – Cadenza – Tempo 1 17.59
5   Andante con moto  5.38
6   Rondo (Vivace – Cadenza – Tempo 1 – Presto) 9.44

Hans Richter-Haaser (piano)   
Philharmonia Orchestra        
István Kertész

Columbia SAX 2403 (YAX 625-5 / 626-5)   
Recorded Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, London 20-22 July 1960

Total running time 77.23