Simax Classics The Complete Orchestral Works of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volumes 3, 5, 7, 12 (2001-2015)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.1 in C major, op.15;
Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat major, op.19; Rondo in B flat Major, WoO 6
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op. 37; Triple Concerto in C minor, Op.56
Piano Concerto No.4 in G major, op.54; Piano Concerto in D major, op. 61a (arr. from Violin Concerto)
Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major 'Emperor', Op.73; Choral Fantasy, Op.80
Boris Berezovsky, piano; Swedish Chamber Orchestra Örebro; Thomas Dausgaard, conductor
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue&Log) ~ 1 Gb | Mp3 (CBR320) ~ 692 Mb | Scans included
Genre: Classical | Label: Simax Classics | # PSC 1181, 1183, 1280, 1285 | Time: 04:23:27
There's a tendency on the part of some performers to play Beethoven's First and Second Piano Concertos as if they were really by Mozart–all elegance, poise, and refinement. Happily, Boris Berezovsky finds the Beethovenian fire burning beneath the Mozartian surface. Right from his vibrant entrance in Concerto No. 1, Berezovsky plays with fierce energy (despite his generally light touch) and a clearly discernible enjoyment. This is matched Thomas Dausgaard's equally electric reading of the orchestral part, which in many ways reminds me of the classic Szell/Fleisher recording. Of course the small-scale sound of the 38-member Swedish Chamber Orchestra cannot possibly equal the full sonority of the Cleveland Orchestra in its heyday, but it's remarkable how Szell's clear textures and crisp articulation match Dausgaard's, who, by the way, is using the new Barenreiter editions. Berezovsky seems to be of like mind with Fleisher, at least terms of his singing tone and mercurial style.