Grieg Stephen Kovacevich

When it comes to piano concertos, no two composers wrote more compatible concertos than Grieg and Schumann. Both are in A minor, both are in three movements, and both are ecstatically lyric, tenderly romantic, and amazingly virtuosic. And both fit very comfortably together as a recorded double bill, a coupling that has attracted some of the greatest pianists of the postwar years: Claudio Arrau with Colin Davis and the Boston Symphony, Leon Fleisher with George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, Walter Gieseking with Wilhelm Furtwängler and the Berlin Philharmonic, Sviatoslav Richter with Lovro von Matacic and the Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra, and this recording by Stephen Kovacevich with Colin Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

These two popular concertos have for many years been coupled on LP and CD, and ever since their initial release in 1971, the performances on this CD have been consistently rated as outstanding. This recording is one of a few to have achieved true classic status, of the stature (amongbrconcerto recordings) of Jacqueline du Pre's Elgar Cello Concerto, and Michelangeli's Ravel G major and Rachmaninov Fourth Piano Concertos.brThe young Stephen Bishop (now known as Stephen Kovacevich) was at the height of his considerable powers, and these performances of two of the best-loved piano concertos have hardly been equalled ever since they were made almost 50 years ago.

Released to celebrate his 75th Birthday, this 25CD Limited Edition encompasses the complete recorded legacy of Stephen Kovacevich for the Philips label. It includes his acclaimed interpretations of works by Beethoven, Bartók, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Dvorák, Grieg, Mozart, Schumann and Stravinsky.

Released to celebrate his 75th Birthday, this 25CD Limited Edition encompasses the complete recorded legacy of Stephen Kovacevich for the Philips label. It includes his acclaimed interpretations of works by Beethoven, Bartók, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Dvorák, Grieg, Mozart, Schumann and Stravinsky. Every album is presented with original covers and programming. Following his triumphant debut in London, 1961, Stephen Kovacevich embarked on a brilliant international career and made many acclaimed recordings for Philips Classics, including his legendary Beethoven Piano Concertos and Diabelli Variations.

From the Notes: Though she is constantly in demand by the most prestigious orchestras, conductors and music festivals in Europe, Japan and America, chamber music occupies a significant part of her musical life. She regularly plays and records with pianists Nelson Freire and Alexandre Rabinovich, cellist Mischa Maisky and violinist Gidon Kremer: "This harmony within a group of people gives me a strong and peaceful feeling"…

A limited-edition 55-CD set of legendary and critically acclaimed recordings celebrating the famous PHILIPS heritage. An alliance of great artistry and superb sound. Classic-status albums spanning over half a century of recording and showcasing a wealth of international talent.
An unrivaled collection that that embraces all musical genres - from solo piano and chamber music through to large scale choral works and opera.

The collection gathers the best relaxing tunes from the piano repertoire performed by most eminent musicians: Piotr Anderszewski, Leif Ove Andsnes, Daniel Barenboim, Bertrand Chamayou, Aldo Ciccolini, Samson François, Hélène Grimaud, Stephen Kovacevich, Nicolai Lugansky, Maria-João Pires, Maurizio Pollini, Anne Queffélec, Alexandre Tharaud and Alexis Weissenberg.