"The tempo was right this time and the tutti sounded with all the nuances required. Toscanini did not miss one tiny detail. He was right there, and we finished every phrase beautifully together. He respected all my dynamics, held up the orchestra where I made the tiniest rubato, came in after the cadenza on the dot, and we finished the movement with a flourish. The second movement went smoothly . . . because the music is a wonderful dialogue between the piano and the orchestra. The third movement was worked out very professionally and with bravura by the Maestro." - Artur Rubinstein
In his 101 broadcast performances of Beethoven with the NBC Symphony Orchestra only four were given of the piano concertos. This release brings together those four recordings, together with radio commentary, in new XR remastered Ambient Stereo sound.
The soloists Ania Dorfmann, Dame Myra Hess, Artur Rubinstein and Rudolf Serkin all shine, and one could only wish for more. As it is these recordings, from 1944 and 1946, have a vibrancy and life often subdued in the equivalent studio recordings. They're essential additions to any collection.