The performances here…are moving and profound.

Klemperer shapes the opening of the Chopin in a dignified manner, reveling in the passion of the young composer’s early statement, yet never losing the grandeur of the movement. Arrau is his equal; he is powerful, serious-minded, and has the technical capabilities to not only play the music, but to shape it as he sees fit. Chopin’s concerto…is played with such sincerity, such heartfelt conviction, every note counts. The final movement’s pianistic roulades and figurational patterns are handled with ease and assurance.

Claudio Arrau vereinigte als Interpret pianistische Grandeur mit philosophischer Tiefe und poetischer Einfühlsamkeit. Beide Aufnahmen zeigen das in beeindruckendster Weise. Otto Klemperer dirigiert das Chopin-Konzert, und beide geben dem Werk eine selten so ausgeprägt zu hörende romantische Größe und Ausdruckskraft. Die Romanze wird in bester ‘zero sugar’—Manier gespielt, das Finale gefällt durch die Opposition eines strengen Orchesterspiels und eines herrlich verspielten Klaviers.

Both are works well chosen to demonstrate Arrau’s great strengths and both were close to his musical heart, and part of his constant repertoire, untarnished by time.

Klemperer’s opening introduction is direct, sinewy and symphonic. His authoritative preparation for Arrau is magisterial in the extreme and the pianist responds with his usual bewitching array of tone colours and control of rubati. His playing of the slow movement is richly engaging but not at all limpid or inclined to frippery; there’s a sense of power in reserve, fully unleashed in the finale, which is dynamic, convincingly integrated and collaboratively successful. Here, too, Klemperer proves an ally, not at all a stylistic enemy.

Arrau is at the top of his game. His rich tone, ample rubatos, wide dynamic inflections, and ever-present left hand eschew surface symmetry and charm in favor of large-scale drama and paragraphic sweep. What is more, Arrau’s impeccable pianism displays a vibrancy and note-to-note continuity… Read complete review