Just last week I was listening to the late pianist, Emil Gilels, and I was blown away by his amazing musicianship. Today I have come across a new recording of Gilels playing the five Beethoven piano concerti:
Beethoven:
Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5 (complete), with the Cleveland Orchestra.
Variations (32) on an Original Theme in C minor, WoO 80
Variations (12) on a Russian Dance, WoO 71
Variations (6) on an original theme ‘Die Ruinen von Athen’, Op. 76
All performed by Emil Gilels (piano)
Gramophone magazine wrote the following when Mr. Gillels died:
“Emil Gilels stands out as giant among giants. In terms of virtuosity he was second to none, yet his leonine power was tempered by a delicacy and poetry that few have matched and none has surpassed.”
Here is Emil Gillels, as he performs the music of Schumann, Brahms, and Chopin:
