Ellopos Blog

Searching for “the best” version of Beethoven’s piano concerts, here is what I gathered: Michelangeli (a version with Giullini and another one with Celibidache), Arrau, Kempf, Zimmerman, and Barenboim. The winner was Barenboim with Klemperer, and this is how I started to appreciate Barenboim. 

After that I searched for Mozart piano concertos (complete editions) and listening to Brendel, Anda, Serkin and Barenboim, I chose again Barenboim. His main virtue, as I see it, is being spontaneous: after all thinking and studying, he just lets music flow. His sound is natural. This is not enough of course, but it is crucial, because you can concentrate on music and don’t be confused by a person’s effort to produce a “great performance”. Beyond this, his phrasing is clear and tender, his tempo is based on his phrasing and not the opposite. 

Barenboim’s classes on Beethoven (BBC, 2005 : Part II, III)

Cf. Barenboim on the Nature and Power of Music  * Barenboim’s Beethoven at Amazon  * Ellopos Music Pages, Musicon Blog

Related (automatic selection) :

• Music and politics - thinking about Barenboim
• Beethoven Piano Concertos with Aimard and Harnoncourt
• Music is Sound with Thought
• Barenboim’s Beethoven
• Who is afraid of J. S. Bach?