Ludwig van Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos

Krystian Zimerman, Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra present Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5 piano concertos. The exceptional Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman, together with Leonard Bernstein, presented an outstanding reference recording of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos Nos 3, 4 and 5 more than 30 years ago (1989). At the time, both agreed on their commitment to music – in mind, heart and soul – which led to an extraordinary recording. Unfortunately, Bernstein died before the cycle was completed. In 1991, Zimerman conducted the remaining concerts No. 1 and 2 himself from the piano. “Bernstein’s way of making music left a clear impression on me, “said Zimerman. “He gave me the courage and also the confidence to dare something in my interpretations to try out completely new musical ideas. […] Conductors, it was similar — with Simon Rattle. It’s like he was going to music himself — it was exactly the same with Bernstein. I never had the idea that Bernstein was conducting a piece, rather, every piece seemed to be his, he composed it while he was standing on the podium. “The unique relationship between Krystian Zimerman and Sir Simon Rattle is based on years of shared ideals and mutual respect. Gramophone Magazine described her partnership as “a matter of wonder” and praised her “exciting sense of goal.” “What happens in the concert does not necessarily resemble the rehearsal, “says Zimerman. “We are setting a frame, but he knows that I can break out at any moment, and I know he will follow at any time, and vice versa. If I allow myself to have fun, he won’t let me get away with it — the rematch will follow within the next two minutes! “Now, 30 years after his first recording, Zimerman returns to Beethoven’s piano concertos. It offers an exceptional reinterpretation, recorded with Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra at LSO St. Luke’s in December 2020, making this album the highlight of Beethoven’s year 2020 and another milestone in the series of Beethoven’s major recordings.