Interpretation ******    Sound *****     Repertoire ****

Michael Greenhalgh - Recording of the year 2019

“Made me revaluate the Second Concerto as a more urbane, witty and subtle work than the more exuberant and, in the slow movement, romantic First Concerto. Both are given very fresh accounts with the contrast between the two telling, through Petrenko’s acuity in orchestral pointing and Giltburg’s charisma, a compeer for young Beethoven as virtuoso.”

“… Boris Giltburg, Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic begin a complete recording of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos with the first two. In general these are rather traditional interpretations, very lively and refined, especially in the piano part very sophisticated, very clearly articulated, with interesting colours and subtle changes in dynamics and tempi. The first movements of the two concertos are very relaxed, charming and lyrical, they have momentum, but remain at an average tempo. The final movements are more vital and very agile, the slow movements really slow, lyrical and sensitive…” ****

“… the contribution of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra should not be overlooked, as they provide exemplary and strongly characterised support throughout under Petrenko…”