Daniel Barenboim / Otto Klemperer – Beethoven: Emperor Concerto – Vinyl LP

In 1967, when Daniel Barenboim was just 24 and still known solely as pianist, he collaborated on a number of recordings with Klemperer, who by then was over 80 years old. Their interpretation of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the ‘Emperor’, crowned a complete recorded cycle of the composer’s piano concertos. It is now released once more on LP.

“Klemperer approached the essence of what he wanted directly and without hesitation,” Barenboim has said. “He was not interested in sound as such, but in correctness of execution of tempo, dynamics, and orchestral balances, over which he took immense care.”

Reviewing the disc in 1968, Gramophone wrote: “One hesitates before describing any new recording of Beethoven as historic, but on any count this set is so. Barenboim and Klemperer, young and old in equal enthusiasm, bring a new revelation of the cycle of Beethoven concertos. I cannot think of another cycle … that so consistently rivets the attention.”

1. Piano Concerto No.5 In E-Flat Major Op.73 Emperor I. Allegro
2. Piano Concerto No.5 In E-Flat Major Op.73 Emperor II. Adagio
3. Piano Concerto No.5 In E-Flat Major Op.73 Emperor III. Rondo