Ohlsson has long said that his first great pianistic influence was Arthur Rubinstein--that sheer beauty of touch and tone, the singing line, rhythmic freshness, and overall avoidance of quirky, neurotic intensity (for those he went to Horowitz). He also studied, at a very important point in his development, with Claudio Arrau, attracted by his interpretive intelligence, the largeness of his conceptions and grandeur of his execution, the richness of his sound and range of colors, that sense of each note being given its full due, of ALL the music being realized. And in Ohlsson's best work (as in these Beethoven concertos) I always feel I hear both of those background influences. These concertos do have that traditional sense of pace and scale and beauty you mention while still sounding fresh and stimulating. They're knowingly shaped and delivered with a natural sense of utterance that's very Rubinsteinian yet full of rich details (you rightly point to the left hand figures) of the sort Arrau always allows to come through. You used the word "poise" and I think that's spot-on, but there's plenty of energy as well. I think they're just marvelous. It's been a long time since I've picked up a new set of Beethoven piano concertos, but I got these based on Jed's review, and I think you've both put your finger on what makes them special. To me this is Ohlsson distilling a lifetime of playing into works he knows and loves and still has things to say about. Already they've given me what I suppose I most want from music: great pleasure. Thanks for the review, Dave.
I have to mention, I listened to Manfred Honeck’s new Tchaikovsky 5 on streaming last night. Wow! I couldn’t be more pleased with it! Looking forward to your comments.
Interesting that Jed wrote his review for this cycle and his 10/10 review of the Zhang/Stutzmann cycle at the same time - have you heard the Zhang/Stutzmann cycle? Do you agree with Jed’s opinion?
Hi Dave. Martin Helmchen’s fourth was glowingly reviewed on this channel in 2020. I have since listened to all his concertos and I think it may be a set for the ages. I love the Emperor in particular, which has some unique moments and is played with a straightforward clarity which is very affecting. But I have yet to hear the Ohlsson or Stutzmann cycles. What do you think of the Helmchen concertos as a complete cycle?
Ohlsson has long said that his first great pianistic influence was Arthur Rubinstein--that sheer beauty of touch and tone, the singing line, rhythmic freshness, and overall avoidance of quirky, neurotic intensity (for those he went to Horowitz). He also studied, at a very important point in his development, with Claudio Arrau, attracted by his interpretive intelligence, the largeness of his conceptions and grandeur of his execution, the richness of his sound and range of colors, that sense of each note being given its full due, of ALL the music being realized. And in Ohlsson's best work (as in these Beethoven concertos) I always feel I hear both of those background influences. These concertos do have that traditional sense of pace and scale and beauty you mention while still sounding fresh and stimulating. They're knowingly shaped and delivered with a natural sense of utterance that's very Rubinsteinian yet full of rich details (you rightly point to the left hand figures) of the sort Arrau always allows to come through. You used the word "poise" and I think that's spot-on, but there's plenty of energy as well. I think they're just marvelous. It's been a long time since I've picked up a new set of Beethoven piano concertos, but I got these based on Jed's review, and I think you've both put your finger on what makes them special. To me this is Ohlsson distilling a lifetime of playing into works he knows and loves and still has things to say about. Already they've given me what I suppose I most want from music: great pleasure. Thanks for the review, Dave.
I have to mention, I listened to Manfred Honeck’s new Tchaikovsky 5 on streaming last night. Wow! I couldn’t be more pleased with it! Looking forward to your comments.
I hope it's better than his 4th!
Interesting that Jed wrote his review for this cycle and his 10/10 review of the Zhang/Stutzmann cycle at the same time - have you heard the Zhang/Stutzmann cycle? Do you agree with Jed’s opinion?
Stay tuned. Yes, I've heard it.
@@DavesClassicalGuide looking forward! Thanks as always.
Hi Dave - I've been looking for a review of the newish Eschenbach Brahms cycle on Berlin Classics. No luck. Have you heard it?
Not yet!
Hi Dave. Martin Helmchen’s fourth was glowingly reviewed on this channel in 2020. I have since listened to all his concertos and I think it may be a set for the ages. I love the Emperor in particular, which has some unique moments and is played with a straightforward clarity which is very affecting. But I have yet to hear the Ohlsson or Stutzmann cycles. What do you think of the Helmchen concertos as a complete cycle?
They are excellent.
@@DavesClassicalGuide Thank you, Dave!
I grew up with Fleisher's version. This may be just fine!
I think that these recordings are technically very transparent, you hear more.