Maurizio Bling

Maurizio Pollini continues to complete his cycle of recordings of all of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas. This is the second to last disc before Pollini completes the Beethoven Sonatas Cycle. One of the greatest pianists of our time presents his own unique and individual survey of giants of the piano repertoire. Recorded at the KKL Luzern and the Herkulessaal (Residence) in Munich. A special album from a special pianist – and one with appeal beyond the world of piano aficionados. Maurizio Pollini is one of Deutsche Grammophon’s icons, having been exclusively with the company for over four decades.

Maurizio Pollini's late 1970s film recordings of Beethoven Piano Concertos 3 and 5; Mozart Piano Concertos 19 and 23; and Brahms Piano Concerto 2 have it all: great pianism, beautiful playing by the Vienna Philharmonic, magnificent conducting by Karl Bohm (Beethoven, Mozart) and Claudio Abbado (Brahms), all adding up to one thing: a beautiful experience. These DVDs are a feast for the ears: great audio, and the eyes: great video. The 1970s Unitel films used in this DG release have held up very well in the vaults: there are no glitches or imperfections in the picture. The camera work is also excellent, and serves the music being performed.
There is no audience, and the recording venue: Vienna's Musikvereien, has wonderful acoustics - one of the best concert halls in the civilized world. It was worth alot to me to see Karl Bohm smile at Maurizio Pollini at the beginning of I, of Mozart's Piano Concerto 19 with it's humorous, scherzo like theme which begins the concerto. Highly recommended!