Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major 'Emperor'

Ludwig van Beethoven

E-flat major

Recordings

Top Choice

Edwin Fischer / Wilhelm Furtwängler / Philharmonia Orchestra

1951 Mono recording

Gil's first choice. A 'pretty good studio mono' recording. Powerful and captivating from the start, with a beautiful slow movement.

Also Worth Hearing

Emil Gilels / Leopold Ludwig / Philharmonia Orchestra

1957

Very powerful and beautifully artistic. Fairly well-recorded stereo.

Leon Fleischer / George Szell / Cleveland Orchestra

1961

Really good sound quality. Szell provides power and crisp energy, while Fleischer adds wonderful artistry and a light touch. The middle movement is 'ethereal and beautiful'.

Stephen Kovacevic / Stephen Kovacevic / Australian Chamber Orchestra

1989

Excellent sound. A faster, more crisp, smaller-scaled interpretation with clearer textures. Very powerful.

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli / Carlo Maria Giulini / Vienna Philharmonic

1979 Live recording

A live recording. A broad interpretation that 'oozed with humanity and profundity' (Giulini) combined with a clearly articulated, powerful pianist (Michelangeli).

Claudio Arrau / Sir Colin Davis / Staatskapelle Dresden

1984

A digital recording. A more thoughtful, 'held back' interpretation. Arrau is a 'thinking artist' with beautiful shaping and colors.

Wilhelm Kempff / Paul van Kempen / Berlin Philharmonic

1953 Mono recording

A great mono recording. Kempff's 'unmistakable' artistry with Van Kempen's powerful support.

Solomon / Herbert Menges / Philharmonia Orchestra

1955

Sounds pretty good. Solomon provides supreme artistry, imagination, power, and virtuosity.

Arthur Schnabel / Sir Malcolm Sargent / London Symphony

1932 Historic recording

Old and dim sound, but 'a vision that is really just essential.' Very commanding and authoritative.