Pianist Eliane Rodrigues takes centre stage in this stunning tour through the concerti of Beethoven’s early and middle periods. The album includes Beethoven’s five finished piano concertos, including the popular No. 5, “Emperor,” and No. 2, for which Rodrigues prepared her own masterful cadenza. Also included is Op. 61a, a piano transcription Beethoven arranged of his treasured Violin Concerto; and Op. 56 “Triple,” with cellist Luc Tooten, and violinist Chingiz Osmanov. Also included is Beethoven’s Op. 80, “Choral Fantasy” for piano, orchestra, vocal soloists, and choir - in this case, the Choir of St. Petersburg Institute of Culture, prepared by Sergey Yekimov - widely thought to be a precursor to his Symphony No. 9, “the Choral”.

This is not only a wonderful collection of Beethoven's work from his early and middle periods, but it's also an incredibly well produced album. Rodrigues's ability to be part of the orchestra, then take centre stage before melting back into the orchestra once again, really makes for a magical listening experience.

The subtlety of the playing is not to be overlooked here - and that's not just on Rodrigues's part. While it's obvious that she knows these pieces intimately (or has come to know them inside out for this recording) the orchestra also seem to feel every ounce of emotion and feeling that Beethoven poured into the compositions. And this comes through loud and clear in the performance.

This collection is split over 4 discs and includes 24 tracks (4 hr, 41 min, 28 sec). Even those that already own these works will find much to enjoy and appreciate with these new recordings. This isn't just an album - it's a beautiful work of art.

TRACK LISTING

DISC 1

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Piano concerto 2 in Bb Op. 19
Piano concerto 1 in C Op. 15

Eliane Rodrigues
St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra
Walter Proost

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 -1827)

Piano concerto 2 in Bb Op. 19
01 Allegro con brio 13:05
02 Adagio 09:07
03 Rondo. Molto allegro 05:48
cadenza Eliane Rodrigues

Piano concerto 1 in C Op. 15
04 Allegro con brio 17:56
05  Largo 10:44
06  Rondo. Allegro Scherzando 09:04
cadenza Ludwig van Beethoven

DISC 2

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Piano concerto 3 in c Op. 37
Concerto for piano, violin and cello in C Op. 56 ‘triple’

Eliane Rodrigues
St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra
Walter Proost
Chingiz Osmanov, violin; Luc Tooten, cello

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 -1827)

Piano concerto 3 in c Op. 37
01 Allegro con brio 18:03
02 Largo  10:50
03 Rondo. Allegro 09:01
cadenza Ludwig van Beethoven

Concerto for piano, violin and cello in C Op. 56 ‘triple’
04 Allegro 18:18
05 Largo - attacca: 05:27
06 rondo alla Polacca 13:50
cadenza Ludwig van Beethoven

DISC 3

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Piano concerto 4 in G Op. 58
Piano concerto 5 in E Op. 73

Eliane Rodrigues
St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra
Walter Proost

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 -1827)

Piano concerto 4 in G Op. 58
01 Allegro moderato 20:20
02 Andante con moto 06:05
03 Rondo. Vivace 10:33
cadenza Ludwig van Beethoven

Piano concerto 5 in E Op.73
04 Allegro 20:24
05 Adagio un poco mosso - attacca 07:39
06 Rondo. allegro 10:21
cadenza Ludwig van Beethoven

DISC 4

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Piano concerto in D Op. 61a ‘violin’
Fantasy in c for piano, chorus and orchestra Op. 80

Eliane Rodrigues
St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra
Walter Proost
Choir of the St Petersburg Institute of Culture

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 -1827)

Piano concerto in D Op. 61a ‘violin’
01 Allegro ma non troppo 24:05
02 Larghetto 11:08
03 Rondo. Allegro 10:50
cadenza Ludwig van Beethoven

Fantasy in c for piano, chorus and orchestra Op. 80
04 Adagio 03:03
05 Finale. Allegro 11:32
06 Allegretto, ma non troppo, quasi andante
con moto (choir) 04:16
cadenza Ludwig van Beethoven

10

Darren Rea