Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Robert Levin :: Beethoven: Concerto No. 4, Op. 58 (chamber version); Symphony No. 2, Op. 36 (Chamber Version)

Splendid Chamber Versions of Beethoven's Orchestral Works

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 08/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pianist Robert Levin and accompanying members of Sir John Eliot Gardiner's Orchestre de Romantique et Revolutionaire offer a fascinating set of spellbinding performances of two orchestral works which Beethoven transcribed himself as chamber music versions. The 4th Piano Concerto is here an exciting, mesmerizing piano quintet, featuring elegant, lively playing from all of the musicians, especially from Levin. The 2nd Symphony is a piano trio, also brilliantly performed by Levin and the two string musicians accompanying him. These musical oddities are certainly worth acquiring for fans of period instrument practice and Beethoven. The sound quality is absolutely first rate."

Great bargain, brilliant playing

Matt | Virginia | 12/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is sheer brilliance. This is the first performance of the fourth piano concerto that I have been truly captivated by since I first heard Rubinstein play it. Here it is arranged for piano quintet by Beethoven himself. I thoroughly enjoy the finesse and skill of the musicians.



The performance of Beethoven's second symphony (arranged by Beethoven himself to be the piano trio performed here, too) is simply sublime. It is truly a joy to listen to, and is among my favorite recordings of this symphony (and believe me, I have a lot). While it is a brilliant symphony, it is also a brilliant piano trio.



On a technical side, the recordings themselves are very good. There is an unbelievable balance between the fortepiano (which is naturally more quite than other instruments), and the strings. I really like the sound of the period instruments too. These are all first class musicians. Highly recommended!"