Passionate, dramatic, yet poetic and richly nuanced Mari Kodama brings all these qualities to her interpretation of Beethovens Complete Piano Concertos. This exceptional recording with the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin shines with extraordinary intensity and contrast, due in no small measure to the artistic bond between Mari Kodama and her husband, the conductor Kent Nagano. Beethovens Piano Concertos are undoubtedly amongst the most influential works in the history of music. Art demands of us that we shall not stand still, the composer once wrote, placing the idea of development at the heart of his music. His five piano concertos saw Beethoven take piano music out of the salon and into the concert hall, playing a crucial role in advancing the genre towards the symphony, whilst simultaneously creating a bridge from the First Viennese School to the Romantic period. Mari Kodama, whose virtuosic mastery of the piano made her a household name all over the world, has completed the Beethoven Piano Concerto Cycle with her husband Kent Nagano, the international star conductor.
Collection of all five Beethoven piano concertos, played by a young Vladimir Ashkenazy at the height of his piano-playing career. Accompanied by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the great conductor Bernard Haitink, this was a first for television.
The pellucid tone and refined technique of Yo-Yo Ma and the passionate interpretations and flashy virtuosity of Mischa Maisky have defined the poles of post-Rostropovich cello playing. In contrast, Heinrich Schiff may seem reserved to the point of being unemotional and self-effacing to the point of disappearing altogether. But as his 1998 recording of Beethoven's complete works for cello and piano with Till Fellner demonstrate, Schiff is every bit as accomplished as Ma and Maisky.
Pollini's performances of Beethoven's last five piano sonatas have assumed almost legendary status. Sometimes considered a cold interpreter, Pollini here pays scrupulous attention to Beethoven's instructions, an attention that never gets in the way of sincere expression. There's a lot to be said for approaching this music with a maximum of clarity and simplicity, and a minimum of Romantic panting and heaving. In fact, Beethoven's instructions are so detailed, and the music itself is often so elaborately developed, that it's all most pianists can do to play it as he wrote it. Pollini does that, and much more.
In the light of her untimely death, Ginette Neveu’s artistic achievements are legendary; she is remembered both for her outstanding personality and her prodigious talent. She was the world’s first great female violinist, adored everywhere and critically acclaimed for her virile playing that combined irresistible force, passion, intensity, lyricism, sonority and precision.
The idea behind the thematic programming of this disc is a journey from the earthly to the light, it is about the question of how life and death are connected.
Beethoven’s monumental contribution to Western classical music is celebrated here in this definitive collection marking the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Surveying the totality of his career and achievement, the Complete Edition spans orchestral, concerto, keyboard, chamber, music for the stage, choral and vocal works, encompassing his most familiar and iconic masterpieces, alongside rarities and recently reconstructed fragments and sketches in world premiere recordings. The roster of artists and ensembles includes some of Beethoven’s greatest contemporary exponents, in performances that have won critical acclaim worldwide.
Orion's Beethoven is an Argentinean psych/symphonic-prog band founded in 1969 that released two albums, Superangel in 1973 and Tercer Milenio in 1977. The group started with a lineup of 3 musicians: Adrian Bar (guitar), Jose Luis Gonzalez (drums), Roman Bar (bass & vocals). Jorge Liechtenstein replaced drummer Gonzalez in 1973 with the release of the first album. In 1981, the band's lineup expanded and they shortened their name to Orions. The music in the first album mixed psychedelic elements with symphonic prog and classical pieces. Their second album is a more rock oriented release.