Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Symphony No. 7 / Overture To Coriolan DVD

The London Symphony Orchestra, Solti and Perahia in an all-Beethoven performance could hardly be anything but first class. This concert, which took place in 1987 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Barbican Arts Centre in London, also benefits from Solti's astute programming. Asked that his choice of music should reflect the policy of the venue in offering "variety in unity", the conductor selected the brief but thickly textured Coriolan Overture (splendidly un-ponderous under Solti's baton), the sprightly First Piano Concerto (here handled with kid... gloves by Perahia) and the ebullient Seventh Symphony. The latter is marred at the outset by a spot-the-downbeat domino effect from the orchestra but this is swept away after a few bars to allow Solti's usual bravura to carry the concept off superbly, although his energised and convulsive old-school podium style is infuriatingly distracting when exposed to the merciless scrutiny of the cameras. Musically, however, the results are a delight, with some immaculate section playing, notably from the woodwinds. The disc includes a trailer for two other Arthaus releases. --Roger Thomas [show more]

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