Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor / Beethoven: Emperor Concerto ~ Cliburn

nice

Those of us who were caught up in the ticker tape parades and Cold War triumphalism of Van Cliburn's win at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958--I was eleven -- gradually lost sight of him afterwards. Despite his extensive catalog for RCA, Cliburn proved to be a reluctant hero, spending many years in semi-retirement. So it came as a shock to hear this Schumann Cto., made in 1962 when the pianist was just 26. It's riveting, a large-scale virtuosic reading that recalls a bygone era. Cliburn was born to play on a grand stage, and with Reiner providing the best of all possible accompaniments, I feel guilty that I have had such a diminished view of Cliburn for so long.No one could listen to this recording without getting immediately involved. (As a commenter rightly says, the playing is relaxed and generous, for all the big technique.) The Intermezzo is a bit clipped and impersonal, played with restraint by both pianist and conductor. But that's nothing when compared to the wonderful execution of the Chicago Sym. and Cliburn's obvious relish in every note. His innocence and lack of fussiness are special qualities, and although there are other, more sophisticated readings to be had, I am very glad I returned to this one from fifty years ago.Cliburn made a slew of recordings while he was still a hot property, and this "Emperor" Cto. also dates from 1962. At the time this work was always played as a Romantic showpiece -- the period performance style was a few decades away and the shadow of Horowitz still loomed large -- so the concerto suits Cliburn very well. Reiner's sweeping accompaniment is in keeping with the pianist's grandness. Neither veers into excess, however. The Gramophone compared this recording favorably with the "fired up" Gilels with Leopold Ludwig, but that's all but laughable, since Reiner is ten times the conductor. One can find more personal and poetic accounts of the Adagio, which Cliburn seems a touch impatient with. The finale is played with flair and power, however, and Reiner keeps the orchestra in propulsive mode. I suspect that the old man had a strong influence on the youngster; RCA was wise to give Cliburn the best conductor they had, by far.In all, if you want to hear what Cliburn mania was all about and have experienced only his mega-bestseller, the Tchaikovsky First, here is a grand follow-up. In both recordings the piano sounds very good, but for some reason the orchestra is somewhat muffled in the 'Emperor.'

This disc is another excellent remastering of RCA's outstanding classical recordings from the 1950's and 1960's. The sound is excellent with accurate harmonics, clear voicing of the soloist and orchestra, fine balances, and Reiner's extraordinarily fine accompaniment. The Chicago Symphony plays up to their world-class stature from this period. The icing on the cake is that sonically the disc is a gem. But a Caveat. . . Van Cliburn's interpretations - except for the second movement of the Beethoven Emperor Concerto, and moments here and there - are somewhat lacking in nuance. The pieces are played accurately and powerfully - all the notes are there, but, and this for me is a big but, the tempos are mostly held so strictly that the solo voice is often not given very much room to breathe. The result is a Schumann and Beethoven Emperor that are classical to the point of nearly eliminating the songfull and poetic romantic aspects of this music. If that is the way you prefer these compositions be performed, then this disc is the one you should by all means own. If, however you would on occasion like to hear greater balance between the classical and romantic aspects of these pieces, you may wish to acquire copies of the following performances as well:* Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5, "Emperor," Horowitz, Reiner, RCA Victor Symphony, BMG RCA Gold Seal 7992-2-RG (Includes the 1943 live performance of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 with Toscanini and the NBC Symphony.). [A towering "Emperor" both powerful and poetic.] Other fine "Emperor" performances include Fleisher, Szell, Cleveland Symphony and Zimerman, Bernstein, Vienna Philharmonic.* Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor, Janis, Skrowaczewski, Minneapolis Symphony, Mercury Living Presence 432 011-2 (Includes the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 with Menges and the London Symphony.).[A joyous and songful Schumann.]Please make no mistake, I would not be without these interpretations. Neither, however, would I be willing to give up the other performances named above. Isn't it wonderful that we live in an age where we can have them all to enjoy.

I have to admit I love Lupu's Schuman (and Grieg) concerto. I was also very touched by Kissin Emperor... Those 2 CDs are played often at home, and I am now using FLAC files instead of CD as I find it more convenient. Anyway I love Lupu and Kissin versions...Now we go back in time, and listen to the same music, yet a bit different, Van Cliburn's versions are new to me and would compete with Lupu or Kissin... even if I have to get the SACD outside its box, open the SACD player.... This 'ritual' might even be part of the good time I will have listening to both concerto.I am listening on Paradigm 95F (so 2.0 only, I will try to get the center speaker for Xmas)... but even if I a missing the center channel I love the sound, everything is clear, it seems they really knew what they were doing back in the 60.It will be hard now to select between one version or the other, but in any case I know I will have a good time.

演奏・録音・パッケージデザインが素晴らしいです。再発してください。

Enregistrement historique et de qualité.Réédition d'un vinyle qui n'a plus les qualités hifi .Cette collection parue sous le label RCA est excellente

I hesitated for a long time before ordering this disc entirely as a result of previous reviews that suggested that the sound quality of the Beethoven was considerably inferior to that of the Schumann although recorded at much the same time, place and with the same musicians - 1960-1, Chicago, Reiner.As I already had the living Stereo version of the Schumann, more usefully coupled with Prokofiev 3 and plenty of excellent Beethoven alternatives, I was very doubtful about this particular issue. However, a friend of mine who is a hi-fi enthusiast whose judgement I could trust, assured me that, to his ears, there was nothing wrong with the Beethoven and that he also liked that performance greatly.As a result I bought the SACD version of these recordings and am very pleased that I did. Like my friend, I too have nothing to complain about as regards the Beethoven sound as a recording and also enjoyed the performance. The Schumann is excellent and is a clear improvement over the Living Stereo version with all the expected gains in clarity, depth and realism.Not wishing to challenge other reviewers' judgements over the Beethoven portion of this disc, I nevertheless feel that, in fairness, this may be an issue that has been somewhat exaggerated. My replay equipment is wide ranging, very revealing and normally merciless with poor recordings and in this case reproduced the sound very well.Despite adverse reports as regards the sonics of the Beethoven I would suggest that this is still a very fine disc as regards interpretations of both works and that the recording of the Beethoven may play better on some equipment than others. The Schumann is an outstanding achievement on all counts. My advice would be to give at a try and trust to your own equipment and ears. You may be well rewarded!

The Chicago Symphony conducted by Fritz Reiner is about as good as is gets. Van Cliburn is undeniably a great pianist. This is a "Living Stereo" production with RCA's top producers and engineers. Now remastered for Super Audio. I don't have a Super-Audio player(a regular cd player will play these discs)but a Super-Audio machine isn't necessary to hear the substantial increase in music quality, even if it is only in stereo. I own the original RCA cd releases plus the later "Living Stereo" cd's and this super audio disc sounds much better. And the price is amazing. Buy it!

Great music, highly recommend.