Claudio Arrau, Beethoven's Emperor Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 1957
19,093
Published 2021-09-17
Celebrating Chile's Independence Day on 18 September, we've partnered with the Embassy of Chile in Australia to release this video of Arrau in Australia, with the full Emperor Concerto.
All Comments (21)
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I had the distinct honor of performing in an orchestra with Arrau in the late 70s. I remember his smooth, flawless technique and beautiful interpretation.
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"At his peak" does not mean there was steady decline afterwards. Following this 1957 performance Mr Arrau was still utterly marvellous for many years, even into his eighties. Though he did adopt slower tempi this did not detract from the quality and sovereign command of his performances.
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Arrau's hands look like two powerful Butterflies!!! Incredible ! ... It's really unique !!
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Monumentale
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Magistral interpretación de Claudio Arrau. Que las nuevas generaciones puedan disfrutarlo! Jack Assael-Misrachi.
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Arrau would stand out, even in today's overcrowded field of 'perfect' (read perfectly boring) musicians. Here , in his prime, we have that lovely limpid legato, allied with technical brilliance.... a magical touch on the ivories, both strong and gentle.
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Arrau said that after spending his whole life studying Beethoven and his music (and conversation books) felt that MOST of Beethoven's music was played at too fast a tempo. He played slower because it was his very educated opinion that THAT was how the "Master" wanted it played! This man was taught in his youth by a man who learned to play with a teacher who was a student of Beethoven! This music never fails to make me feel life IS good! His music speaks when words fail.
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A majesterial concerto played majesterially. How splendid to be able to witness this performance by Arrau when at his peak.
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Beethoven wrote amazing symphonies, but his Emperor Concerto is in my opinion his runaway best work. So Beethoven on Beethoven. Turn it up loud!.
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Masterful; the greatest Beethoven pianist on record, period. You can see how percussive his playing still was at this time; just an amazing performance.
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Lang Lang is 'perfect' in this work, but Arrau offers magic and deep emotion: an experience never to be forgotten.
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Thank you so much for this wonderful upload. Claudio Arrau at his very best just as in his Philips recording with Haitink. Unforgettable his dynamic, articulation and deep understanding of the the music of Beethoven. His sempre pianissimo in the first solo of the second movement and in the middle part of the finale are magic and miraculous.
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Arrau un genio del rubato
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Immense pianiste que Arrau
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Gracias por subir este video del gran Claudio Arrau. Sublime.
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Soo love arrau and especially when he was at his prime. Such a robust reading, and that unique high forearm technique is fabulous to watch. His trills !!
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Great to have these old tapes in such good shape, so long after the event and the demise of the performers.
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Maravilloso, sublime
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He looks so young! I am used to his recording with the London Philharmonic and sir Colin Davies, when he was well into his 80s. Both performances are excellent.
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Marvellous. As others have said, Arrau is in his prime here. You can also see his body/shoulder technique in playing big chords to give a full yet not harsh sonority, something he has talked about in interview. And his trills! Klemperer once stopped a rehearsal and asked him what he was doing - surely a trill is just a trill? Not so.
