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Beethoven Piano Concertos 3, 4 & 5 - Politiken (translation)

18 June 2009
Politiken (translation)
Thomas Michelsen

On paper it seems a bit hopeless to combine the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the conductor Charles Mackerras, known for his direct and open approach to the classics based on historical performance practice, with an old-fashioned romantic style pianist such as the Portuguese Artur Pizarro. What I mean is, what is a little period Beethoven-orchestra doing with a full-fat, romantically-educated concert pianist?

But the combination of the dynamic orchestra and the fully grown child prodigy works. What you get is Beethoven's three mature and most popular piano concertos as a strong, direct no-nonsense interpretation. Especially in the Emperor Concerto - the fifth and last of the concertos, the clean, elegant, never violent approach works really well. One misses some emphasis from the soloist in places where some pianists give it more. But the playing is overall beautifully clear, and the results are worthy of more than just three sad stars.

Beethoven Piano Concertos 3, 4 & 5 - Politiken (translation)

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