beethoven piano concerto

try Emil Gilels/Leopold Ludwig/Philharmonia Orchestra in #4 & #5 (EMI, recorded 1958 & 1957). remains my favorite of all... especially #4.

There 9 Gilels versions of the 4th out there, per the current issue of Fanfare magazine.

Thanks guys. So far my fav are No 4 and No 1.

Re Alfred Brendel set, it seems to be recorded out of phase. I switched polarity and the sound is more focused. Highs and lows are more defined and instruments are more easily localized. I am also experiencing the same thing with the Oslo Vanska Beethoven symphony SACD.

i'd also highly recommend Wilhelm Kempff/Paul van Kempen/BPO (DGG 1957) for LvB's Piano Concerto cycle. it's another mono recording (as Gilels/Ludwig/Philharmonia Orchestra), but the performance is simply spectacular.

I have the Kovacevich version, and while the performance is truly great and it is a very good recording, it still sounds a little bit like its age. I am also looking for a newer version at that level of performance or better, but that is audiophile quality on CD.