Guiomar Novaes - Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 / Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 9, 20, Piano Sonatas Nos. 5, 11, 15 (1993)

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Guiomar Novaes - Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 / Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 9, 20, Piano Sonatas Nos. 5, 11, 15 (1993)

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Guiomar Novaes' life story has been the stuff of legend in the classical world for decades and this CD is clear evidence why none other than Claude Debussy himself helped single her out for greatness as a teenage prodigy. Recorded when she was in her 50's, she's absolutely stupendous, pulling off difficult passage after passage with fabulous effortlessness, her trademark. But forget the 'feminine piano' tag that has been given to her at times, this CD shows she can bring on the 'thunder and lightning' whenever necessary. Thanks to Vox Box Legends for this magnificent digitally mastered 2 CD set, the wonderful sound, and very detailed, extensive liner notes that put most other liner notes to shame.
This is wonderful music by a piano master, along with the awesome Bamberg Symphony Orchestra under Jonel Perlea's baton on the Beethoven Concerto and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra under Hans Swarowsky on the Mozart piano concerti. Each and every piece is a beautiful gem and there is no real 'Piece De Resistance' since their writing and her performances are so evenly excellent and her tone is marvelous. But I was particularly struck by the 20 minute exposition of the Allegro movement from Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 5, E Flat Major, Op 73, ("Emperor") with the awesome demands on the left hand, operating almost independent of the right hand many times, which are flawlessly executed. With the same degree of wonder, Piano Sonata No 5 in G Major, K. 283 written when Amadeus was only 18. And one of my all-time favorite pieces, the Allegretto movement from Mozart's Piano Sonata No 11 in A Major, K331, with this performance being my current favorite version. And among the world's favorites and most recognizable, the Allegro movement from Mozart's Piano Sonata No 15 in C Major, K 545, which is played superbly. Guiomar Novaes was phenomenal. Five GREAT Stars!!

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Guiomar Novaes - Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 / Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 9, 20, Piano Sonatas Nos. 5, 11, 15 (1993)

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