Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Performer: Martin Helmchen
Orchestra: Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Conductor: Andrew Manze
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Alpha
Size: 1.17 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
01. I. Allegro con brio
02. II. Largo
03. III. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
04. I. Allegro moderato
05. II. Andante con moto
06. Rondo. Vivace
Beethoven’s piano concertos are a precious source for understanding the history of the practice of this instrument, which, in the early nineteenth century, permanently replaced the harpsichord in the hearts of composers. Thus one can still hear the galant influence of Mozart in the First Concerto (1795-1800), whereas the Fourth (1805-06) reveals the introspective personality, at once vigorous and generous, of a Beethoven at the height of his artistic maturity. In the second instalment of his recording of the complete concertos, the German pianist Martin Helmchen performs these two contrasting works with Andrew Manze and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.