Beethoven Piano Concerto 5 'Emperor'
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Beethoven
Piano Concerto 5 in Eb major, op. 73, 'Emperor'

Beethoven's last piano concerto earned the 'Emperor' soubriquet because of its inherent nobility.  Amongst Beethoven's most broadly-conceived works it has been a mainstay of the piano repertoire from its first performances.
See our composer biography here.

Musica recommended recording
Soloist: Evgeny Kissin Sony's Kissin bio
Conductor: James Levine Levine bio page at BSO
Orchestra:  Philharmonia Orchestra website
Label: Sony Classical Label website
Catalogue Ref: SK62926
Barcode: 
Release Date: 25-Sep-1997

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Label (Sony Classical) Sony disc information

Kissin's early reputation was built around his (very) youthful interpretations of Chopin and Liszt, but this dazzling performance is played out as a battle with the Philharmonia running at the top of its form to show a wider range for this young performer.  Every step of this performance reinforces the sense of serious purpose and energetic determination to deliver an extraordinarily impressive interpretation.
Also included in one of our boxed set recommendations
Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos
Soloist: Wilhelm Kempff Brief Kempff bio page
Conductor: Ferdinand Leitner Brief Leitner bio page
Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra website
Label: Deutsche Grammophon Label website
Catalogue Ref: 427237-2GX3
Barcode: 
Release Date: 12-Oct-1988

More information about this recording
Label (Deutsche Grammophon) DG disc information