In this 2008 three-CD set, Deutsche Grammophon has re-released Maurizio Pollini and Claudio Abbado's early-'90s recordings of Beethoven's five piano concertos, a set of performances that have been available more or less continually since their first release. But this time they have added a 2006 recording of Claudio Abbado leading the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and three young soloists in Beethoven's Triple Concerto. For fans of either Pollini or Abbado, their smart, stylish, and supremely virtuosic ...
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In this 2008 three-CD set, Deutsche Grammophon has re-released Maurizio Pollini and Claudio Abbado's early-'90s recordings of Beethoven's five piano concertos, a set of performances that have been available more or less continually since their first release. But this time they have added a 2006 recording of Claudio Abbado leading the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and three young soloists in Beethoven's Triple Concerto. For fans of either Pollini or Abbado, their smart, stylish, and supremely virtuosic performances with the Berliner Philharmoniker will be thoroughly familiar and probably already occupying a place of honor on their Beethoven shelf. But that does not mean they will not want to at least audition Abbado's Triple Concerto, his only recording of the piece. Working with pianist Alexander Lonquich, violinist Ilya Gringolts, cellist Mario Brunello, and the Venezuelan youth orchestra, Abbado obtains a sprightly and lyrical account of the concerto that emphasizes its chamber music...
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