Performer: Radu Lupu
Number of Discs: 6
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Decca
Catalogue: 4782922
Release: 2011
Size: 1.55 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
CD 01
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
01. 1. Allegro con brio
02. 2. Largo
03. 3. Rondo (Allegro scherzando)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19
04. 1. Allegro con brio
05. 2. Adagio
06. 3. Rondo (Molto allegro)
CD 02
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
01. 1. Allegro con brio
02. 2. Largo
03. 3. Rondo (Allegro)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
04. 1. Allegro moderato
05. 2. Andante con moto
06. 3. Rondo (Vivace)
CD 03
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 ‘Emperor’
01. 1. Allegro
02. 2. Adagio un poco mosso
03. 3. Rondo. Allegro
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
04. 1. Allegro con brio
05. 2. Largo
06. 3. Rondo: Allegro
CD 04
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467 ‘Elvira Madigan’
01. I. Allegro maestoso
02. II. Andante
03. III. Allegro vivace assai
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K414
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Andante
06. III. Rondeau. Allegretto
Mozart: Quintet for Piano and Winds in E flat, K452
07. 1. Largo – Allegro moderato
08. 2. Larghetto
09. 3. Allegretto
CD 05
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
01. 1. Maestoso – Poco più moderato
02. 2. Adagio
03. 3. Rondo (Allegro non troppo)
Beethoven: Quintet in E flat major for piano and winds, Op.16
04. 1. Grave – Allegro ma non troppo
05. 2. Andante cantabile
06. 3. Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)
CD 06
Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
01. I. Allegro affettuoso
02. II. Intermezzo. Andantino grazioso
03. III. Allegro vivace
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
04. I. Allegro molto moderato
05. II. Adagio
06. III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato – Quasi presto – Andante maestoso
Iconic pianist Radu Lupu first recorded for Decca in 1970 and his recorded repertory has centred round a small number of composers – chiefly Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Mozart and Schumann.
This set brings together all of Radu Lupu’s concerto recordings for Decca.
Pianist Radu Lupu does not have a large discography compared to many other pianists, but his are consistently noted for his interpretation. This 2011 Decca box contains a large portion of that discography, the concerto recordings Lupu made in the 1970s and ’80s. His playing is virtuosic, as can be heard in Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto and in the Grieg and Schumann, but he also has an unforced way of coloring and shaping whatever it is he’s playing, making it engaging yet true to its period. The Mozart concertos are light and singing, while the Brahms is appealingly dramatic, but cleanly delivered. A couple of the discs are filled out with some not-often-encountered chamber music: the piano and wind quintets by Mozart and Beethoven, performed just as assiduously and musically by Lupu and his colleagues. The sound quality does vary between recordings, but is generally more than acceptable. This set would be a good choice for someone looking for many of the great, Romantic piano concertos in one place, as well as any fan of Lupu’s that doesn’t already have these recordings.