Maurizio Pollini - Concertos: Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms (2012)

Originally released between 1976 and 2007, the offerings in this eight-CD box set represent Maurizio Pollini's exemplary concerto recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, including all of Ludwig van Beethoven's cycle, the two piano concertos by Johannes Brahms, and six of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's masterpieces in performances that rank among the pianist's finest. Pollini's polished playing made these recordings favorites among connoisseurs, who admire his clarity and precision, and the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic gave them the richness and radiance of their warm accompaniment. Conducting duties were divided almost evenly between Karl Böhm, Claudio Abbado, and Pollini himself, who directed four of the Mozart concertos from the piano, in the Classical tradition. While fans are likely to own all or most of these recordings in separate releases, whether on vinyl or CD, this set is convenient for collectors who would like to have them all in a space-saving trimline package and would be a generous introduction for new listeners.

Track List:

CD 1
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No.23 In A, K.488 - 1. Allegro - Cadenza: Mozart
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No.23 In A, K.488 - 2. Adagio
3. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 In A Major, K.488 - 3. Allegro assai
4. Mozart: Piano Concerto No.19 In F, K.459 - 1. Allegro Vivace - Cadenza: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
5. Mozart: Piano Concerto No.19 In F, K.459 - 2. Allegretto
6. Mozart: Piano Concerto No.19 In F, K.459 - 3. Allegro assai - Cadenza: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart


CD 2
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.83 - 1. Allegro non troppo
2. Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat, Op.83 - 2. Allegro appassionato
3. Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.83 - 3. Andante - Più adagio
4. Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.83 - 4. Allegretto grazioso - Un poco più presto


CD 3
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat Major Op.73 -"Emperor" - 1. Allegro
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat Major Op.73 -"Emperor" - 2. Adagio un poco mosso
3. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat Major Op.73 -"Emperor" - 3. Rondo (Allegro)
4. Beethoven: Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C Minor, Op. 80 - 1. Adagio
5. Beethoven: Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C Minor, Op. 80 - 2. Finale: Allegro - Meno allegro - Allegro molto - Adagio ma non troppo - Marcia, assai vivace
6. Beethoven: Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C Minor, Op. 80 - Adagio ma non troppo
7. Beethoven: Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C Minor, Op. 80 - Marcia, assai vivace - Allegro
8. Beethoven: Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C Minor, Op. 80 - Allegretto, ma non troppo (quasi Andante)
9. Beethoven: Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C Minor, Op. 80 - Presto


CD 4
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15 - 1. Maestoso - Poco più moderato
2. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15 - 2. Adagio
3. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15 - 3. Rondo (Allegro non troppo)


CD 5
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 - 1. Allegro con brio - Cadenza: Ludwig van Beethoven (Live)
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 - 2. Largo (Live)
3. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 - 3. Rondo (Allegro scherzando) (Live)
4. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19 - 1. Allegro con brio - Cadenza: Ludwig van Beethoven (Live)
5. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19 - 2. Adagio (Live)
6. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19 - 3. Rondo (Molto allegro) (Live)


CD 6
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 - 1. Allegro con brio - Cadenza: Beethoven (Live At Grosser Saal, Berlin Philharmonie)
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 - 2. Largo (Live At Grosser Saal, Berlin Philharmonie)
3. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 - 3. Rondo. Allegro - Presto (Live At Grosser Saal, Berlin Philharmonie)
4. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 - 1. Allegro moderato - Cadenza: Ludwig van Beethoven (Live At Grosser Saal, Berlin Philharmonie)
5. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 - 2. Andante con moto (Live At Grosser Saal, Berlin Philharmonie)
6. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 - 3. Rondo. Vivace - Cadenza: Ludwig van Beethoven (Live At Grosser Saal, Berlin Philharmonie)


CD 7
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 In G Major, K.453 - 1. Allegro
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 In G Major, K.453 - 2. Andante
3. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 In G Major, K.453 - 3. Allegretto
4. Mozart: Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 - 1. Allegro
5. Mozart: Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 - 2. Andante
6. Mozart: Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 - 3. Allegro vivace assai


Performers:
Maurizio Pollini, piano
Wiener Philharmoniker
Berliner Philharmoniker
Claudio Abbado, conducror
Karl Böhm, conducror