BEETHOVEN

 

Piano Concertos 3, 4 & 5

 

Artur Pizarro - piano

Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Sir Charles Mackerras

 

“Whenever Mackerras appears with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra he produces magical alchemy” The Scotsman

 

“I think that [Pizarro] would have won Beethoven's hearty applause and approval.” Gramophone

 

Ludwig van Beethoven’s piano concertos are some of the most popular works in the classical repertoire.  Renowned conductor Sir Charles Mackerras leads pianist Artur Pizarro and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a truly memorable performance of these great works.

 

Ludwig van Beethoven’s final three piano concertos are extremely vital in the transition from the classical to the romantic period. These works demonstrate Beethoven’s move away from the classical style by challenging previous concerto models; delicate and ornamental features are replaced with powerful, rousing, and even heroic, melodies and developments.

 

The magical partnership of Mackerras and the SCO resulted in the addition of Concerto No. 5, which was not originally in the recording plan.  Concertos 3 and 4 were recorded very quickly - often in one take! The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Sir Charles Mackerras have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship.  Their recording ‘Mozart Symphonies 38 – 41’ was named the classical recording of 2008 by the Sunday Times and HMV Choice. It also won a 2009 Midem Award for Symphonic Works and a Choc de l’année Award from Le Monde de la Musique.

 

The Portuguese pianist Artur Pizarro has performed with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on several occasions. In October 2008, in the days prior to the recording, Pizarro joined the orchestra and Sir Charles Mackerras in performances of Beethoven’s Third and Fourth Concertos. These performances were met with great critical acclaim, the Scotsman stating “the prospects for that future Linn release look fascinating”.

 

“Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concertos 3, 4 & 5” is one of 2009’s most highly-anticipated classical releases and this recording looks set to take its place among the finest versions of these works.

 

Linn Records 2SACDs CKD336