Robert CASADESUS

Mozart: Piano Concerto No.23, K.488*
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 ‘Emperor’
Ravel: Piano Concerto in D ‘For the Left Hand’

Kölner Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester / Georg Ludwig Jochum / Christoph von Dohnányi** / Hermann Scherchen***

Recording: Saal 1, Funkhaus, Cologne, 7 March 1956 * / 29 January 1965** / 11 March 1957***


Robert Casadesus follows his highly successful CD of Mozart Piano Concertos K.491 and K.595 conducted by George Szell coupled with Weber's Konzertstuck (MM010-2), with another compilation containing Mozart's Piano Concerto K.488, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.5 and Ravel's Piano Concerto in D.

Casadesus recorded all this material before over many years in the studio. Here he is captured live in superb sound as a result of WDR's master tapes, here released for the very first time. Beethoven's 'Emperor' Concerto from 1965 follows his 1961 studio account (now only available in a box dedicated to Hans Rosbaud) and being live is slightly faster and conducted brilliantly by the young Christoph von Dohnányi.

The Ravel Concerto in D for the Left Hand is especially valuable since Casadesus was a close friend of the composer while the collaboration with one of the most important conductors of the 20th Century, Hermann Scherchen, produces electrifying results.

These recordings have never been issued before using WDR's original master tapes.

Reviews:
• Casadesus and Szell make a wonderful partnership in Mozart: both were stylish and exciting Mozartians and the playing is notable for its poised control and an outstanding ear for colour and nuance....As for the performance as a whole, it is quite lovely - Casadesus was on the top of his mature form and Szell unfailingly sensitive to details. (Nigel Simeone, International Record Review – MM010-2)

• If one word sums up these performances, it is "natural". Accents are incisive, phrases are shaped without affectation and balances are clean-cut...I immediately opted for an encore listen. (Colin Anderson, Classical Record Collector – MM010-2)