The voltage is high, but the atmosphere is more relaxed in this live 1943 Tchaikovsky ... more
than these artists' overdriven studio version a few years earlier. More than a few pianists injured themselves attempting to play octaves as Vladimir Horowitz does here. The pianist's relationship with Beethoven was an on/off affair, but Horowitz' uncluttered, direct Emperor is one of the finest versions of this warhorse on disc. The lyrical, rapt slow movement brings out the frustrated opera singer in Horowitz, while Fritz Reiner supports his soloist with a sturdy, alert orchestral framework. A most attractive release. --Jed Distler
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item....
Advantages: dynamic and gripping Disadvantages: none
Fantastic to have another additional collection of all five of Beethoven's piano concerti. Spanning his life we can really get to grips with his evolving use of the orchestra in these works. From the Third's action packed finale to the Fourth's beautiful expressions to the grandeur of the much loved Fifth.
The playing is precise, dramatic and full of energy; as indeed it should be.
Aimard's playing is always well crafted and beautifully shaped. This is an insightful disk and has taken the musicians an awful lot of hard work. A must-have for any lover of Beethoven's piano music. If you usually go for his chamber music or string quartets why not branch out and explore Aimard's wonderful take on these concerti? Well worth buying and indeed an inspiration for myself and other pianists alike. ...
Advantages: HISTORY Disadvantages: Are there any ?
***INTRO***
The story of the final Emperor of China from a biography by Aisin - Giori. My DVD came free with the Times, I watched before doing a little research and was later surprised at the significance of its content. Filming on location in China, Bertolucci and producer Jeremy Thomas were the first western film - makers to be allowed access to hitherto forbidden locations. The cast includes Peter O'Toole (Reginald Johnston) amongst others (see below).The film is deemed suitable for persons of 15 years or over by the censors, although in other countries this maybe lower. Genre : biography/drama/history.
***THE STORY***
He was the Lord of Ten Thousand Years, the absolute monarch of China. He was born to rule a world of ancient tradition. Nothing prepared him for our world of change. A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last ...
, and is slightly better to listen to than the first two movements of the concerto, however it still isn't wonderful.
The third concerto is the Tuba Concerto in F Minor (1954) by Ralp Vaughan Williams.
7 - Prelude
8 - Romanza
9 - Finale: Rondo alla tedesca
This concerto is more classical in nature with a structure similar to something Bach would've used as opposed to something more modern by Beethoven for example. Although minor, the concerto still has a good melodic line and a great accompaniment that would be expected from an 82 year old composer with much experience in composition and is a work with originality and freshness. The first movement is a great start to the concerto, with a nice melodic line and a lovely cadenza towards the end of the movement and has an amazing final few bars which bring the movement to a close ...
