Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Philharmonia Orchestra of London :: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5; Piano Sonatas Nos. 8 & 23

Probably the best of the 5th

Archaeologist | Los Angeles, CA | 05/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always liked Furtwangler's conducting of Beethoven's music. This one with Edwin Fischer is another top performance despite some slight hiss, but EMI did a very good transfer, and the listener is soon fascinated by the conductor's performance of Beethoven's piano concerto. Personally, I think this would be the "definitive" performance of the 5th piano concerto. The two sonatas which follow are extra bargains from Fischer's sublime playing of Beethoven. Here we get two sonatas instead of one on the first edition of the Concerto by EMI in 1987 (sonata No. 7). I would also recommend the excellent performance of these two giants of Brahms' second concerto available on EMI Reference series."

Sublime and justly famous rendition of 5th Piano Concerto

W. Hill | Newark, DE USA | 10/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say? Vintage classical recordings don't get much better than this. Furtwangler is wonderful as always when conducting Beethoven, and Fischer's playing is top-notch in both the concerto and accompanying sonatas. The sound is not bad for its age (1951) -- it's clean and clear mono, with negligible tape hiss and decent dynamic range. While perhaps not an absolute first choice (certainly not for novices, who will no doubt want something in more modern if not digital sound), I can strongly recommend this for anyone with a love for Beethoven, & Furtwangler performances in particular."

A great opportunity to hear the legendary Fischer in good so

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 10/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't add much to the universal praise that this Emperor concerto has won from the day it was relwased in 1951. Besides being a great eprformance, it defies any stereotype that Furtwangler was grand, broad, and heavy in Beethoven. Those tendencies did creep intohis conducting in latter years, but just listen to this vigorous, alert, impetuous first movement and you will be swept away. Fischer can't quite muster perfect keyboard technique, but it hrdly matters. From the first bars of his solo introduction, you are aware of a great, original artist who never plays a note without total voncition. The same goes for the two sonatas that fill up the CD.



I jsut wanted to point out that this is one of Fischer's best-sounding recordings, caught in excellent, clear mono with full piano tone and no muffled clunkiness. The same can't be said for the 78s Fishcer made in the Thirites, and he sat out the war, mostly in silence, in Switzerland. So if you are unacquainted with this exceptional pianist, here's your chance to marvel."