Beethoven / Backhaus Recital & Concertos CD

In 1905, when Wilhelm Backhaus won the distinguished Anton Rubinstein competition in Paris at the age of 21- Bela Bartok came in second!- he thrilled the famous musicians of his day, and, of course, the turn of the century audience, with standard pieces of the highest splendor. Yet he not only impressed with works by Franz Liszt and related virtuoso composers. In 1927, he was the first pianist to record all 24 etudes Opp. 10 and 25 by Frederic Chopin. Still admired today, this documents his superb technique and simultaneously his temperament with it's almost ebullient willingness to share. In the present documentation, we have the E flat Major concerto Op. 73 with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Joseph Keilberth in palpable accordance with the clear and clarified desires and wishes of the soloist. In respect, this recording is not only a confirmation of Backhaus as an absolute authority for the E flat Major, but also a clarion call in regards to Keilberth.

1. I. Allegro Con Brio - Wilhelm Backhaus 2. II. Adagio - Wilhelm Backhaus 3. III. Scherzo. Allegro - Trio - Wilhelm Backhaus 4. IV. Allegro Assai - Wilhelm Backhaus 5. I. Allegro Con Brio - Wilhelm Backhaus 6. II. Introduzione. Adagio Molto - Wilhelm Backhaus 7. III. Rondo. Allegretto Moderato - Prestissimo - Wilhelm Backhaus 8. I. Allegro - Wilhelm Backhaus 9. II. Scherzo. Assai Vivace - Wilhelm Backhaus 10. III. Adagio Sostenuto. Appassionato E Con Molto Sentimento - Wilhelm Backhaus 11. Iva. Largo - Allegro - Wilhelm Backhaus 12. Ivb. Fuga. Allegro Risoluto - Wilhelm Backhaus 13. I. Allegro - Wilhelm Backhaus/S?dfunk-Sinfonieorchester 14. II. Adagio Un Poco Mosso - Wilhelm Backhaus/S?dfunk-Sinfonieorchester 15. III. Rondo. Allegro - Wilhelm Backhaus/S?dfunk-Sinfonieorchester 16. I. Allegro Non Troppo - Wilhelm Backhaus/S?dfunk-Sinfonieorchester 17. II. Allegro Appassionato - Wilhelm Backhaus/S?dfunk-Sinfonieorchester 18. III. Andante - Wilhelm Backhaus/S?dfunk-Sinfonieorchester 19. IV. Allegretto Grazioso - Wilhelm Backhaus/S?dfunk-Sinfonieorchester 20. No. 1 in B Major - Wilhelm Backhaus 21. No. 2 in E Major - Wilhelm Backhaus 22. No. 6 in C-Sharp Major - Wilhelm Backhaus