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Beethoven - Piano Concertos 2 & 5
£15.59
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New Item
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Cat No: HMM902411
Barcode: 3149020939963
Format: CD
Number of Discs: 1
Genre: Orchestral
Release Date: 31st January 2020
[Bezuidenhout] and Heras-Casado have thought deeply about how best to make these pieces sing. ... First up is the “Emperor” Piano Concerto, No 5: Bezuidenhout’s entry is imperially grand, but although he takes all the time he wants, he doesn’t hang around. A hint of playfulness comes through even here; indeed, it’s a strong feature of the performances as a whole. ... the two slow movements are convincing as episodes of reflection; that of the Concerto No 2, which recedes into stillness and memory at the end, comes across with more profundity. But what marks this recording out is the way they make the music dance – as if no one is watching. 
One of the choicest offerings thus far this celebratory Beethoven year is the powerfully compelling collaboration of Kristian Bezuidenhout and Pablo Heras-Casado with the Freiburger Barockorchester in the Second and Fifth Piano Concertos. ... discerning intelligence and imagination, qualities we’ve come to expect from Bezuidenhout, are here in abundance. But other attributes – his playful sense of the improvisatory, his ready ear for humour, not to mention his ability to imbue every gesture with emotional authenticity – seem particularly suited to the concertos... In addition to creating sounds of startling beauty – the entrance of the horns at the end of the cadenza in the 
[Bezuidenhout’s] performance of the Emperor concerto is scintillatingly dramatic, heroic, deftly articulated and, above all, fresh; and the instrument he plays seems to possess plenty of power. The Second Concerto is given equally enticingly... both readings are enhanced by the brilliantly coloured playing of the Freiburgers under Pablo Heras-Casado. 
These are invigorating performances of Beethoven’s first and last concertos, conveying an admirable sense of spontaneity. ... The entire performance radiates energy and enjoyment. ... this really is exciting playing, and Bezuidenhout’s virtuosity is impressive. 
