Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 5 “Emperor”

The few recorded performances left behind by Walter Gieseking and Herbert von Karajan unequivocally demonstrate a clear musical rapport, and one can only regret that it was cut short by the pianist’s untimely death. In these Beethoven concertos, their shared vision – based on respect for the original score, a quest for architectural balance and clarity of sound – works wonders. The young Karajan’s rhythmic precision and Gieseking’s refined playing make this recording one of the first great modern benchmarks.