Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Riccardo Chailly, Alicia De Larrocha :: Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 3 and 4

At last they're back!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1986 London Records issued a three disc set of all five Beethoven Piano Concerti with a bonus of the Choral Fantasy with the astute collaboration of Alicia de Larrocha and Riccardo Chailly ad the Radio Symphony Orchestra, Berlin. That magical collection is no longer available, but at least on this disc we can hear Concerto 3 and 4. Hopefully the remaining concerti will be released later. de Larrocha may be more associated with the Mozart realm as well as the Spanish literature, but here she demonstrates both her introspective, tender interpretations of the works, playing them with far more quiet lyricism in the soft passages than most of her colleagues, as well as her visceral power that makes her live appearances so memorable. Where does all that strength of hand and sound come from in such a diminutive lady? Chailly is in top form and is very sensitive to de Larrocha's style. For this listener this is one of the more beautifully balanced performances (of the 3rd, especially) available on recording at present. Elegant!"