Beethoven - Piano Concerto 5 [Uchida/ Sanderling-Symphonie Orchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks]Here's a really nice boxed set, 3 discs well housed in a 'fatbox' triple case, these are all excellent interpretations, it's good to have Uchida's thoughts on these grand works.
The front cover/booklet is a nice monotone photograph by Maarten Corbijn, nice chocolate & cream colouring, with well laid out lettering by Claudia Wafer, i can't believe this set is now available brand new on Amazon for only £9.99!, these works are priceless, and Beethoven won't see a penny of the royalties!.
I so much enjoyed the ethereal second movement, it's one of those heavenly Beethoven moments, where his true genius shines, with gentle strings only, the tune is caressed [0:00+], woodwind join in [0:54+], and then the piano enters as soft and gentle as the string opening [1:41], however it's halfway through that the piece is at it's best, the piano gently plays the theme with the strings on pizzicato in the background [4:38+], the woodwind come in again [5:01+], and then the strings bowing [5:18+], and the piano has this extra passionate section [5:28+], which culminates in turning the thing on its head, now the flute/woodwind play the theme, while the piano plays a gently rolling secondary rhythm [5:56+], it is so beautiful, this is the best section of this movement, Beethoven is a genius!, very gradually the whole thing slows down, the playing goes down the keyboard to a close [7:45], this music truly caresses my soul.
Here's Helene Grimaud playing the second movement on YouTube, with Paavo Jarvi conducting.
