Search - Beethoven, Uchida, Sanderling :: Piano Concerto 5 Emperor

Another great "Emperor"

A Classical Fan | New York, NY USA | 11/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great surprise from Uchida and Sanderling. Both are such extraordinary artists. I didn't expect these austere, introspective duo to perform "Emperor" like this. They are in a totally different mode from when they performed No.3 and No.4. Here, their "emperor" is bright and straightforward from the moment they enter the first movement. It's got grandeur sound with sparkling clarity. Uchida here gives wonderfully grand-scale performance, but it is not heavy handed at all. The crystal sound of piano expands clearly in the air and what an amazing texture they create. Sanderling also gives one of the finest performance ever. He sounds so eloquent, strong and yet, refreshing. Amazing unity of piano and orchestra gives a solid quality and sense of sophistication. Some may say, Uchida's performance is too well framed by orchestra, but I think Emperor is not an usual piano concerto. Uchida and Sanderling are in total understanding and have no doubt. Their perfect pitch recreates the positive force and intelligence of this music. I have other great recordings of "Emperor" by Perahia, Michelangeli and Brendel. Still, Uchida's gives a new light to the "Emperor" and I can surely recommend this disc as one of the best."

A very good Emperor Concerto but....

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Uchida is a fine pianist, but her performance of Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto isn't as dynamic as those by Arrau, Brendel, Kempff, Kovacevich, or Perahia. Her technique is as fine as the others I've mentioned, but she pauses abruptly at odd moments like the opening theme of the rondo (3rd movement). It is as though she's not sure whether she should play the rondo faster, or a bit slower. And she hesitates again each time she plays the theme throughout this movement. Her best playing is in the first movement, which she performs with ample grace and passion; I doubt I have heard trills sounding as sweet as hers. Under Kurt Sanderling's excellent conducting, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra yields one of the most polished, vibrant orchestral performances of Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto. Sanderling and the BRSO are warm, sympathetic accompanists to Uchida's playing, and are better reasons for acquiring this CD than her performance. You won't go wrong buying this CD, but there are better choices still available."