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| |  | DVD-CD-VIDEO | Home » » Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, 'Emperor' /Piano Sonata No. 28 in A | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | This is the stuff from which magic is made: Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73--known as the "Emperor" Concerto, heroic and powerful--performed by one of our most distinctive pianists, Hélène Grimaud. The excellent Staatskapelle Dresden is led by one of today's young stars on the podium, Vladimir Jurowski, a charismatic musical genius who was recently appointed London Philharmonic Orchestra's principal conductor. The chemistry between these musicians has the potential to create an extraordinary musical experience. On this album, the Concerto is coupled with a piano sonata out of Beethoven's late compositional phase where--noticeable in the slow movement of the concerto as well--the composer's concern for lyricism had deepened. Thus intimacy and delicacy are the features in the beautiful Piano Sonata No. 28, Op. 101 chosen by Grimaud. This project proves the modernity of Beethoven, firstly by the passionate interpretation of Grimaud and secondly by her being such an excellent communicator of her intentions and perceptions: "What makes Beethoven an extremely modern composer is this extreme vitality, the desire to never give up, and also this foreverendearing, extremely touching characteristic of the music to always strive to ascend, to really get beyond the frailties and the failures of the human condition by always looking up and trying to reconcile the top and the bottom, the vertical and the horizontal. That is still the struggle of people today--this is what makes Beethoven so timeless." | | | Product Details: | | | Audio CD Release Date:
| October 09, 2007 | | Studio:
| Deutsche Grammophon | | Composer:
| Beethoven | | Conductor:
| Jurowski | | Orchestra:
| Staatskapelle Dresden | | Number Of Discs:
| 1 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 17 reviews |
| | | Track Listing: | | | 1. | 1. Allegro | | 2. | 2. Adagio Un Poco Moto - Attacca: | | 3. | 3. Rondo. Allegro | | 4. | 1. Etwas Lebhaft Und Mit Der Innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto, Ma Non Troppo | | 5. | 2. Lebhaft, Marschmassig. Vivace Alla Marcia | | 6. | 3. Langsam Und Sehnsuchtvoll. Adagio, Ma Non Troppo, Co Affetto - Attaca: | | 7. | 4. Geschwinde, Doch Nicht Zu Sehr, Und Mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro | |
| | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 17 customer reviews )
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29 of 35 found the following review helpful:
 MARVELOUS PERFORMANCES OF BEETHOVEN'S "EMPEROR" & OPUS 101Oct 09, 2007
By RBSProds
"rbsprods"
Five MARVELOUS Stars!! Brilliant French piano virtuoso Hélène Grimaud has conjured up highly enjoyable and individualistic interpretations of two awe-inspiring Ludwig Van Beethoven compositions: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Opus 73 (which fans have given the name "Emperor", but not by Beethoven himself); and the Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Opus 101: which Beethoven called "a series of impressions and reveries". Widely known for her thoughtful and personal interpretations of the classical master composers, Ms Grimaud has continued to widen her overall repertoire and, in this case, to deepen her personal Beethoven performance treasury. It is also said the extraordinary Ms Grimaud has a natural form of the condition called synesthesia: in her case she actually experiences music as colors and maybe that's the special quality we are hearing in her wonderful interpretations which have so much verve and flare. Ms Grimaud is wonderfully supported by the splendid Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra under the baton of Vladimir Jurowski for Opus 73. Here, Ms Grimaud shows herself to be a very thoughtful yet powerful, philosophical, and deeply individualistic performer who gives the listener a new viewpoint of Beethoven's astounding creations.
Both performances of these masterworks are 'Pieces De Resistance', but of special note to me is Ms Grimaud's stupendous reading of "Emperor"s Allegro movement with soaring, empathetic support from the Staatskapelle Dresden. Then there is the poetic reading of the second and third movements: the Adagio un poco mosso and the elegant and joyous Rondo. I DO "hear thoughts, reflections, and ideas" delivered in what she calls a "contemporary" version of "Emperor". My favorite version of "Emperor" remains that of the legendary Guiomar Novaes and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra under Jonel Perlea in the 1950s, but this is a most impressive and individualistic reading by Ms Grimaud. That's also certainly true of the four movement Opus 101 where Ms Grimaud unleashes new textures and dynamism in her version, especially in the impressive flow and exposition of movement IV (Geschwind). Decades into her brilliant career, Hélène Grimaud continues to deliver stunning, thoughtful interpretations of the classics, as exemplified by this excellent recording. Kudos to Vladimir Jurowsk and the Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra. The recording is clear and crisp. My Highest Recommendation. Five IMPRESSIVE Stars!!!
(This review is based on an iTunes digital download.)
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
A triumphant and fiery interpretationMay 17, 2008
By C. B Collins Jr.
Helen Grimaud is a considerable talent and her interpretation of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 is passionate and powerful. She style is so very clear and crisp.
The first movement, the Allegro, is full of passion and emotion. The hints of triumphal marches, the force and drive of the work, can only be described as heroic and powerful. Yet this theme is countered with wit and poetry as the movement is reconciled.
The second movement, Adagio un poco mosso, is delicate and warm. The delicacy of the piano compliments the warmth of the horns and violins much like dew on leaves in morning light. The piece is sweet yet graceful and fluid for it never is too sweet. It ascends and then resolves the ascension with warm compassion.
The third movement, the Rondo, is massive. The piano seems to dance with the orchestra as your concentration shifts back and forth between orchestra and piano. The heroic seems to be tamed in this final movement and yet remains full of energy and fire. The third movement also seems to me to be most grounded in a sense of the 18th century with its evocations of waltz and military pomp. The piano is allowed to play the witty commentator upon the regal orchestra to great effect.
Whereas in the first and third movements the piano is a witty commentator upon the force of the orchestra until given reign and shows considerable emotion and passion. The middle passage contrasts beautifully with the first and third in that the piano becomes light,lyric, delicate against the tapestry like warmth of the orchestra.
A fine listening experience.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A great performanceAug 26, 2010
By Guitar Player
For those who bash Helene Grimaud about wolves and such, take this. Just fantastic. I have several well regarded Emperors: Serkin, Pollini, Kissin. This one is the equal of any of these. Poetic and powerful with great sound.
Same can be said of 101 - I like this one as much as I like Pollini and infinitely better than John O'Connor. It takes great control and depth of feeling to pull off late Beethoven and she does it. Sound is much better than Pollini.
I guess the thing I like most about these performances is that they aren't cookie cutter, there are slightly different turns of phrases that generally work very well. And these are really powerful performances in both the heat of the moment and when things slow down. She knows when to push and when to pull back. I get the feeling she is challenging herself somewhat on these very difficult pieces, and I admire that she fully rises to the challenge. I like to hear the stress and emotion coming through a performance.
Not particularly relevant but that is why Hamelin leaves me cold. He is a technical machine who churns out difficult pieces seemingly without the slightest effort. I like things a little more thought out and perhaps just a little rough around the edges, with plenty of passion. Like this performance.
15 of 21 found the following review helpful:
Superb, If Not Definitive, Beethoven 5th "Emperor" Piano Concerto Courtesy Of Grimaud, Jurowski & Staatskapelle DresdenNov 24, 2007
By John Kwok
Young French pianist Helene Grimaud's latest recording is among the best I have heard of the venerable Beethoven 5th "Emperor" Piano Concerto. It is also among the fastest, approximately a minute and a half shorter in length than several older digital recordings I possess of this work (The only relatively recent recording of the "Emperor" concerto I am aware of that's still faster is one with Stephen Kovacevich and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.). Regardless of its speed, Grimaud's interpretation is truly a spellbinding one, in which her playing most closely resembles that of her mentor, Martha Argerich, in its dramatic, fiery quality. For this reason alone, potential purchasers of this CD should think seriously of acquiring it, since it amply demonstrates both the technical and artistic brilliance of someone whom I've regarded for years as one of the most compelling pianists of our time. But is Grimaud's interpretation one that should be regarded as definitive? The short answer is "No", when you compare and contrast her recording with such great ones from the past two decades from the likes of the late Claudio Arrau, Murray Perahia and Andras Schiff, among others. Indeed, I would regard these as more likely candidates for being the "definitive" recordings of this venerable Beethoven warhorse, especially when all three have been noteworthy interpreters of Beethoven's piano scores, especially, in particular, the piano concerti (I might add too, that one of my favorite recordings of Grimaud's is an earlier Teldec (Warner Classics) release of her performing the Beethoven 4th piano concerto live in concert with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Kurt Masur; that recording emphasizes more some of the introspective, lyrical side to her playing, which, regrettably, has been substituted herein for drama and speed.). A truly compelling studio performance of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, op. 101, closes out this recording; if nothing else, it reaffirms Grimaud's emergence as a Beethoven interpreter of note, whose intense, dramatic style of playing is most reminiscent of Argerich's.
Barely keeping pace with Grimaud is the venerable Staatskapelle Dresden, under the baton of young conductor Vladimir Jurowski, whose most prominent North American role now is as one of the three principal conductors in charge of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra itself is in fine form, with ample rich, warm sound, especially from the winds and strings. However, their playing isn't nearly as inspired as in previous recordings of this concerto with Claudio Arrau and conductor Sir Colin Davis (Philips) and Andras Schiff and Bernard Haitink (Teldec); potential listeners might be well advised to seek out either of these earlier digital recordings, if they wish to hear it perform this work under the batons of two of the greatest conductors of our time. Of course, the sound quality is superb, up to the usual high standards of excellence that long-time fans of Deutsche Grammophon have come to expect. In conclusion, those interested in acquiring one of the best recent recordings of the Beethoven 5th Piano Concerto should be quite satisfied with Grimaud's latest; more discerning audiophiles may find more compelling, older digital recordings from Arrau, Perahia, and Schiff, as well as more recent ones from Brendel, and especially, Aimard (Aimard's recent Warner Classics recording may be the most desirable artistically, since it's part of a Beethoven piano concerto cycle which he recorded in live concert performances with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under the baton of Nikolaus Harnoncourt.).
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Extraordinary Beautiful!Dec 24, 2011
By Krish Krishnanand
"Krish"
Helene Grimaud: This smart young pianist is destined to become another Martha Argerich! I have several recordings of Beethoven's 'Fifth' but this one is leaving me highly emotional. There are so many features that I would like to comment on, but then the earlier reviewers have said it all.
My request to Helene: Can you also cut records of Beethoven's 3rd and 4th piano concertos, please?
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