Beethoven: 9 symphonies and 5 piano concertos Together at a special price

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Ludwig van Beethoven left two major cycles of orchestral music: the nine symphonies and five piano concertos. As chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Simon Rattle presented acclaimed recordings of these works. The review in BBC Music Magazine spoke of the “greatest complete recording of the Beethoven symphonies I have ever seen or heard”. The recordings of the piano concertos also enable an encounter with Mitsuko Uchida, who is renowned in particular for her assured style and sensitive interpretations of the First Viennese School. To mark the upcoming Beethoven jubilee year in 2020, we are offering the two editions at a special price: the total package of symphonies and piano concerts costs only €99 instead of €118.90 if ordered separately.

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On his personal approach to these performances, Sir Simon said: “You can make Beethoven too sophisticated or too elegant. You can try to make him agree with himself when often he’s fighting with himself. I think the more direct this music sounds, the better. And when I ask my orchestra, “will you joyfully motor this machine off the cliff top?ʼ, everybody says ʻof course we willʼ.” The concerts in which the Berliner Philharmoniker and their chief conductor presented the symphonies in the Philharmonie in October 2015 were correspondingly enthralling. The complete recording of the five piano concertos with Mitsuko Uchida was also one of the most spectacular projects of the Berliner Philharmoniker during the Rattle era – and at the same time the culmination of the collaboration between orchestra and pianist which began in 1984. In the end there was enthusiastic applause in the auditorium and in the press – in the words of one critic, a “collective feeling of happiness” overcame the visitors on these evenings. With vibrant freshness, the performances brought the whole combative energy of these works to life. At the same time, they revealed Beethoven’s incomparable spirituality, which – according to Mitsuko Uchida – “allows us to see to the end of the universe”.

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Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle
Conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony Nos. 1–9

Annette Dasch Soprano
Eva Vogel Mezzo-Soprano
Christian Elsner Tenor
Dimitry Ivashchenko Bass
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Simon Halsey Chorus Master

Recorded at the Philharmonie Berlin in October 2015


Bonus
· Documentary: “Living with Beethoven”
The nine symphonies with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Sir Simon Rattle
· Introduction: Sir Simon Rattle talks about Beethoven’s Symphonies

Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle
conductor
Mitsuko Uchida piano

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concertos Nos. 1–5

Recordings from February 2010 from the Philharmonie Berlin

Bonus video
Interview: Mitsuko Uchida in conversation

  • CD & Blu-ray

    Beethoven: 9 symphonies and 5 piano concertos

    Together at a special price

    8 CDs + 5 Blu-ray (audio & video)
    US$ 99.00
    Excl. shipping

Video trailer