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| Philips Sequenza (Mid price) (LP) 6527 174-7 (four records, oas) (Cassette) 7311 174-7. |
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It is very good to have these outstanding performances available again, especially now at a medium price; and their availability separately is also welcome, not because I cannot recommend any one of them but since it allows you to pick out what you want without having to confine yoursel to a whole set from the same artists.
If Stephen Bishop-Kovacevich's name is not surrounded by the publicity that some artists get, that is because his playing does not court such limelight. One remembers that it was in these concertos that he first made a big name (which was then simply Stephen Bishop) and hearing them all through, one sees why. There is the absolute clarity and sparkle of his fingerwork, the magical hush of his soft playing, the captivating gradation of tone when he moves in a short phrase from brilliance to deep tenderness.
Looking back after hearing all the performances, I think that of No. 3 leaves me with the deepest impressions; especially the slow movement. When I hear the soloist playing the opening of this so magically I always anticipate the orchestral entry with slight anxiety, for it can so easily jolt the mood. Here it emphatically does not—which brings me to my appreciation of the accompaniments, always alert and well balanced, and of the recording, with woodwind solos adequately audible, even though the piano is slightly forward. (But then, Bishop-Kovacevich knows so well when to accompany the orchestra.) And the overall quality is good, even though it obviously cannot be of current digital distinction.
Above all, the records are distinguished by the rapport between soloist and conductor. Neither is a sensation-seeking artist; both have the integrity that puts the music first, so that you can be sure you are hearing. Beethoven as they feel he intended. All this praise of worthy qualities may suggest that I am tactfully avoiding mention of some lack of brilliance and excitement in the performances. Not at all, I heard the whole set in a short time and might easily have been bored by so much Beethoven I know so well. On the contrary, I was delighted every other moment by some felicity in the playing and never for an instant felt I was listening because it is my job.
TH