Beethoven - Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5, Violin Concerto, Immerseel, Beths, Tafelmusik, Weil

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Beethoven - Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5, Violin Concerto, Immerseel, Beths, Tafelmusik, Weil

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Beethoven - Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5, Violin Concerto, Immerseel, Beths, Tafelmusik, Weil

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Beethoven - Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5, Violin Concerto, Immerseel, Beths, Tafelmusik, Weil

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Amazon.com
Beethoven's first two piano concertos were printed in reverse order: the second is actually his earliest work for piano and orchestra, and it sounds noticeably less mature than No. 1 (and smaller; it's scored for an orchestra without trumpets and drums). With No. 1, however, we can hear the composer confidently exploring the paths carved out by Mozart's magnificent works in the same genre, only with that extra dash of fire and energy that was soon to make Beethoven the greatest composer in the world. These bold and exciting performances are recorded on "authentic" instruments, including a gorgeous replica of a period fortepiano that really does make the music sound as good as new. –David Hurwitz

Amazon.com
Performances of Beethoven's piano concertos on "authentic" instruments depend heavily on the tonal qualities of the fortepiano. One reason Beethoven sounds so terrific on a modern piano is that he imagined his music for as large an instrument as he could get his hands on–and as long as the performer scales his tone to the capacity of his piano, a piece will work. But choose an instrument with too puny a sound, and the result doesn't bear listening to. Jos van Immerseel has selected for these performances a fortepiano with a lovely, full tone that preserves the clarity we've come to expect from period instruments, but which isn't dwarfed by the music. His sparkling playing completes a totally successful release. –David Hurwitz