Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 4, Opp. 37 & 58

Albumbeschreibung

This 2023 release marks the conclusion of a cycle of Beethoven concertos from pianist Boris Giltburg and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under Vasily Petrenko; the cycle included not only the canonical five but also a solo version of the so-called Piano Concerto No. 0 from Beethoven's youth. The set has marked a major step forward in the career of Giltburg, who began mostly with virtuoso Russian repertory but has emerged as a strong Beethovenian. In the well-worn Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, and Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58, his readings are fresh and keep the listener guessing while not doing anything outré. Sample the opening movement of the Piano Concerto No. 3, where he is so spontaneous that Petrenko and the Liverpudlians seem at times to be striving to keep up with him. The somber central movement of the Piano Concerto No. 4 is mysterious and strangely hesitant in Giltburg's hands, building energy that is released in an unusually joyous finale. Consistently intriguing, this is a strong finish for Giltburg's cycle, and it made classical best-seller lists in early 2023.

© James Manheim /TiVo