Stephen Kovacevich
A highly regarded pianist featured in the Philips label's Great Pianists of the 20th Century series, Stephen Kovacevich is particularly known for his original approach to the standard classical repertoire. Prominent in his repertoire is the music of such composers as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Grieg, Brahms, and Bartók, but he is also an acclaimed interpreter of contemporary music, including Tippett's Piano Concerto and Richard Rodney Bennett's concerto (which was dedicated to Kovacevich). Born Stephen Bishop, he added his Croatian mother's surname, Kovacevich, in 1975, just in time to avoid confusion with popular singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop. Later in his career, however, he decided to use just the Croatian surname. He played his first concert in San Francisco, at the age of 11. When he was 14, he played Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major and Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. In 1959, Kovacevich went to London, where he studied with Dame Myra Hess. A highly influential teacher, Myra Hess recognized and encouraged Kovacevich's affinity with Beethoven's music, particularly the works form his late period. On his London debut, in 1961, Kovacevich played Beethoven's "Diabelli" Variations to enthusiastic reviews. Following his London triumph, Kovacevich embarked on a brilliant international career, performing with many major orchestras and making numerous acclaimed recordings, including legendary performances with Martha Argerich and Jacqueline du Pré. Kovacevich, who has played all of Mozart's concertos, is also known for his acclaimed series of Schubert's and Beethoven's sonatas. A particularly memorable performance is his interpretation of Brahms's Piano Concerto No. 1, with Sawallisch, which received the 1993 Gramophone Award. He has an exclusive recording contract with EMI International. In 1984, Kovacevich started a conducting career, and has since conducted the Austrialian Chamber Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Also known for his support of contemporary composers, Kovacevich commissioned Stephen Montague's Southern Lament and performed the premiere at the 1997 Cheltenham International Music Festival. Also a teacher, Kovacevich has published a scholarly edition of Schubert's piano music.
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Beethoven: Cello Sonatas Nos. 3 & 5
Jacqueline du Pré, Stephen Kovacevich
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 10 jun. 2022
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 10 aug. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bartók: The Piano Concertos
Stephen Kovacevich, London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 1990
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 4 aug. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bartók, Debussy, Mozart - Music For 2 Pianos
Martha Argerich, Stephen Kovacevich
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 1977
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: The Piano Concertos; Diabelli Variations; Bagatelles; 8 Sonatas (6)
Stephen Kovacevich, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30, Op. 109 & Bagatelles, Op. 126
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 14 aug. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: Waltzes, Op. 39; Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Klavierstücke, Op. 118
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 8 "Pathétique", 14 "Moonlight", 17 "The Tempest", 21 "Waldstein" & Bagatelles, Op. 126
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 2 jul. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sonates pour piano
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 mrt. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: The Late Piano Music
Stephen Kovacevich, Dinorah Varsi, Adam Harasiewicz
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 - "Emperor"; Piano Concerto No.4
Stephen Kovacevich, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 1991
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Stephen Kovacevich plays Beethoven
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Trios Nos. 4 & 5 and Cello Sonatas Nos. 3 & 5
Daniel Barenboim, Pinchas Zukerman, Jacqueline du Pré, Stephen Kovacevich
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 jan. 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chopin: Piano Encores
Claudio Arrau, Zoltán Kocsis, Stephen Kovacevich
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Grieg & Schumann Piano Concertos
Stephen Kovacevich, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 1971
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: Piano Concerto No.1; Handel Variations
Stephen Kovacevich, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Klassiek - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on 1 jan. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: Piano Concertos
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 4 nov. 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos 21 "Waldstein", 24 "À Thérèse" & 31
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 22 mei 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 21 & 25
Stephen Kovacevich, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Klassiek - Released by Decca (UMO) on 1 jan. 1972
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Diabelli Variations - Bach: Partita No.4
Klassiek - Released by Onyx Classics on 21 nov. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo