Beethoven – Triple Concerto, Brahms – Double Concerto (APE)

Performer: Géza Anda, Wolfgang Schneiderhan
Orchestra: Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Ferenc Fricsay
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms
Audio CD
SPARS Code: ADD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Size: 314 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: no

01. Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C, Op.56 – 1. Allegro
02. Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C, Op.56 – 2. Largo
03. Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C, Op.56 – 3. Rondo alla Polacca
04. Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op.102 – 1. Allegro
05. Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op.102 – 2. Andante
06. Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op.102 – 3. Vivace non troppo – Poco meno allegro – Tempo I

The Greatest Triple-Double Returns

Deutsche Grammophon seemed to have forgotten about its single disc “Originals” line recently, concentrating instead on reissuing titles via the “Original Masters” boxed sets and “Musik…Sprache der Welt” series (see my reviews). But all that has changed with a recent batch of ten titles, most of which simply are must buys. One of those essential discs is this one — the Beethoven Triple Concerto and Brahms Double Concerto conducted by the great Ferenc Fricsay leading his beloved Berlin RSO. Fricsay is joined on the 1960 performance of the Triple by pianist Geza Anda, cellist Pierre Fournier and violinist Wolfgang Schneiderhan, and on the 1961 Double again by Schneiderhan this time with cellist Janos Starker. This pairing appeared on CD previously in the early 1990s (and the Triple has been available on a variety of Beethoven comps), and it is a logical reissue to compete with the Karajan/Szell title in EMI’s GROTC series. And as celebrated as the EMI title is, in many ways I prefer these recordings as the conductor, orchestra and soloists achieve far greater harmony and unison here, particularly in the Triple. I still have a soft spot in my heart for Oistrakh’s accounts with Sargent & Galliera (on an EMI Import Double Forte), but overall this would have to be my first choice recommendation.