The Complete Beethoven Piano Concertos—Garrick Ohlsson/Reference Recordings CDs

The recording release date is May 12, 2023.  

Pianist Garrick Ohlsson, the American laureate of the VIII International Chopin Competition (1970), has developed a long and distinguished career on stage and in the recording studio. Now, at the age of 75, Ohlsson has teamed up with a favoured colleague, conductor Sir Donald Runnicles, for a series of recordings in Jackson Hole, WY, performing at the Grand Teton Music Festival. Specifically, the five piano concertos of Beethoven.

I’m not sure whose idea it was to record this repertoire, but one of the US’s most interesting pianists with a fine conductor and a superb orchestra made up of top professional players from the US and further afield in an idyllic summer setting, sounds like the perfect place for superior music making.

So thumbs up to whoever got the ball rolling, but a special mention to Reference Recordings for recording the five concertos in glorious sound in the acoustically lovely concert hall in Teton Village, Walk Festival Hall.

Grand Teton Music Festival performs at Walk Festival Hall in August 2019. Photo: Sarah Averill

One of my good friends is one of Canada’s finest concert pianists and we were discussing Ohlsson’s playing: “Wonderful player. And he constantly rethinks everything. My kind of player”. I have not heard much of Ohlsson, except for the early Chopin recordings on Angel, but he’s been producing many records for Hyperion lately.

After streaming many of his later performances on Bridge and Hyperion, I agree wholeheartedly with my friend. Ohlsson is never complacent, especially with these Beethoven works he must have played many times. From the first notes of Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15, to the final joyous music-making of the “Emperor”, Ohlsson beguiles the listener with flawless technique and sparkling tone.

Other than some ritardandos in the final movement of the Emperor Concerto, which were a little exaggerated for my taste, Ohlsson doesn’t put a foot wrong. Good news, too, as Kevin Harbison’s recording captures every scintilla of Ohlsson’s tone and phrasing. Good recordings capture the player, here we get a deep look into Ohlsson’s superior musicianship. A couple of times I listened to the three CDs with no break. Ohlsson’s consistency is enviable and I was never less than captivated.

Ohlsson and Runnicles performing Beethoven at the Grand Teton Music Festival.

By way of his legacy, Ohlsson has a very fine technique, and, as my friend says, always keeps you guessing but in the most discerning way. Yet, it’s his tone that continues to impress. A student of Arrau, Ohlsson begins the magical Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 simply yet elegantly. The deceptive four-square opening solo phrase can often sound prosaic, but not here—Ohlsson opens the door with a magical invitation. As such, his phrasing allied to gorgeous piano tone fills all three CDs. At times, I prefer a little less gravitas with the first two concertos—my taste is more akin to Maria João Pires with the LSO and Bernard Haitink in their Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19 recording on LSO Live—also, one of the finest digital recordings of an orchestra. But, 1 and 2 are wonderful, lithe performances and in keeping with Ohlsson’s general conception of the cycle.

A little of the heft I hear in the first two concertos may be the “fault” of the conductor and orchestra. However, they play magnificently and the orchestra doesn’t sound especially big, but it’s beefy. Possibly the fault of a warm hall or a warm evening. Who knows? None of this will stop your enjoyment of this important release.

Photo credit: pianistmagazine.com

After a few hours of glorious music-making, you’ll arrive at the mighty Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, and mighty it sounds. Ohlsson’s tone rings deep into the soundstage and his technique is sure-footed. A fabulous performance to cap off a great cycle.

The orchestra is a wonderful accompanist throughout and Runnicles negotiates the conducting difficulties, especially the 4th and 5th (pizzicato timing) superbly well. And he coaxes beautiful solos out of the proud members, some coming back every summer for 40 years.

As a bonus, we get one of my favourite works by Beethoven, a wonderful performance of Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, OP. 43.

Very highly recommended.

Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos

Garrick Ohlsson, piano

Grand Teton Music Festival Orchesta

Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor

This album was recorded during live Festival performances in July 2022.

3 Hybrid SACDs with Stereo SACD, 5.0 Surround SACD and Stereo CD layers

RECORDED: July 5 – July 9, 2022
RECORDING LOCATION: Walk Festival Hall, Teton Village, Wyoming
PRODUCER: Vic Muenzer
SOUND ENGINEER: Kevin Harbison
MASTERING ENGINEER: Graemme Brown, Zen Mastering