Krystian Zimerman, Simon Rattle & London Symphony Orchestra Ludwig van Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos No.1-5 Box Set (3 SACD + 2 Blu-ray)

Krystian Zimerman, Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra present Ludwig van Beethoven's 5 piano concertos. As early as 1989, together with Leonard Bernstein, the exceptional Polish pianist presented an outstanding reference recording of Beethoven's Piano Concertos Nos.3, 4 and 5. At the time, both were united in their commitment to music and produced an extraordinary recording. Unfortunately, Bernstein died before the cycle was complete. In 1991, Zimerman conducted the remaining Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 himself from the piano.
30 years later, Zimerman returned to Beethoven's piano concertos. His new interpretation with Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra was a highlight of the Beethoven Year 2020.
This box contains three hybrid SACDs with the concert recordings, a Blu-ray with all tracks in the formats PCM (96k/24bit, stereo), DTS-HD Master Audio (96k/24bit, multichannel 5.1) and Dolby Atmos (48k/24bit, multichannel 7.1) as well as a Blu-ray with the video recording of the concerts in the same formats.
Krystian Zimerman, Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra present Ludwig van Beethoven's 5 piano concertos.
More than 30 years ago (1989), the exceptional Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman, together with Leonard Bernstein, presented an outstanding reference recording of Beethoven's Piano Concertos Nos. 3, 4 and 5. Both were united in their commitment to music at the time – in mind, heart and soul – which resulted in an extraordinary reception. Unfortunately, Bernstein died before the cycle was complete. In 1991, Zimerman conducted the remaining Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 himself from the piano.
"Bernstein's way of making music left a clear impression on me," Zimerman said. He gave me the courage and also the self-confidence to dare something in my interpretations, to try out completely new musical ideas. [...] It was similar with only one conductor – Simon Rattle. It's as if he became music himself – with Bernstein it was exactly the same. I never imagined that Bernstein was conducting a piece, rather each piece seemed to be his, he composed it while he was standing on the podium."
The unique relationship between Krystian Zimerman and Sir Simon Rattle is based on years of shared ideals and mutual respect. Gramophone Magazine described their partnership as "a miracle" and praised their "thrilling sense of purpose."
"What happens in concert is not necessarily like a rehearsal," says Zimerman. We set a framework, but he knows that I can break out at any moment, and I know that he will follow at any time, and vice versa. If I allow myself a joke, he won't just let me get away with it – the revenge will follow within the next two minutes!«
Now, 30 years after his first recording, Zimerman returns to Beethoven's piano concertos. It offers an extraordinary reinterpretation, recorded with Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra at LSO St Luke's in December 2020. This makes this album the highlight of the Beethoven Year 2020 and another milestone in the series of great Beethoven recordings.
».​.​.​ Zimerman, now 63 years old, demonstrates piano playing at its finest artificially, combining a pithy tone, which nevertheless never seems superficial or even striking, with precise but unobtrusive presentation.« (Fono Forum, September 2021)
»With Simon Rattle, who leads (...) briskly and without slag, the pianist once again shows highly intelligent, penetrating piano art that sparkles in the corner movements and explores emotional depths in the slow movements.« (Audio, December 2021)

Selections:

CD 1
Piano Concerto No.1 in C Major, Op.15
1. Allegro con brio
2. Largo
3. Rondo. Allegro Scherzando
Piano Concerto No.2 in B-Flat Major, Op.19
4. Allegro con brio
5. Adagio
6. Rondo. Molto Allegro
CD 2
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37
1. Allegro con brio
2. Largo
3. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Concerto No.4 in G Major, Op.58
4. Allegro moderato
5. Andante con moto
6. Rondo Vivace
CD 3
Piano Concerto No.5 in E-Flat Major, Op.73 "Emperor"
1. Allegro
2. Adagio un poco mosso
3. Rondo. Allegro
Blu-ray 1 - Pure Audio
Blu-ray 2 - Video