Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Karl Böhm :: Mozart: Piano Concerto No.27; Concerto For Two Pianos K.365; Schubert: Fantasie D. 940 [Germany]

A taste of genius!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 07/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since the early Seventies, something deep inside the soul of Emil Gilels changed. He transformed from a pianist into a musician, the level of expressiveness achieved majuscule proportions, he emphasized the cantabile line without lacking that vigorous fingering, austere virility and majestic musicality.



This version of the Kv. 595 still remains among the great interpretations of this piece ever made. And you might also add the radiant version of Haskil.- Frucsay, (by far my desert island choice), the enigmatic performance of Curzon- Britten, the mesmerizing reading of Demus with The Collegium Aureum or the majestic version of Schiff. Vegh.



The Kv. 365 played with his daughter Elena Gilels is worthy to keep in mind. But there is another genuine jewel: the freshness of the well known Schubert piano work, that only knows of a heavy weight performance Schiff- Ronan and the emotive version of Richter- Britten.



So, keeping in mind all these items. You should reconsider all these factors and think it seriously. I bought it six months ago and I may testify you the vivifying performance of one of the most celebrated recordings of the last century.



Add the presence of Karl Bohm in the podium and you will know what I mean. Recommended all the way through.

"

Its Touching!

Krish Krishnanand | San Jose, CA United States | 07/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is this the best version of Mozart's last piano concerto? This is Gilels at his best and he provides an incredibly touching picture of Mozart's last days. Every admirer of Emil Gilels needs to add this to his/her collection."

Splendid Disc--Three Definitive Performances

David Conklin | Albuquerque, NM USA | 10/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 77+ minute CD includes what must easily be among the finest recorded versions of each of these 3 compositions. First, a superb Mozart Piano Concerto 27 (K 595), the composer's final--and one of his most popular--concertos. This is probably the best 27 I've heard, with the great Russian pianist Emil Gilels at the pinnacle of his career. Here (and in K 365) the Vienna Philharmonic, led brilliantly by Carl Bohm, provides rich, colorful, authoritative support. In K 365, Mozart's Double Concerto, Elena Gilels, a very talented player in her own right, joins her father. Schubert's Fantasia in F minor (D 940)--a lovely, mood-shifting composition for 2 pianos (Emil and Elena)--is a great way to conclude this magical disc.



These 1970s recordings were superbly engineered, and the digital transfers are warm and vibrant. There's good balance between piano(s) and orchestra, and nice stereo separation of the two pianos. The "Product Details" (above) indicate this is "DDD," but of course it's really ADD (not that this is critical--some audiophiles actually prefer good analogue recordings over digital, even on CDs). Too bad this CD is so expensive (the falling US dollar, perhaps?)--but it's worth it if you've got the cash."