CD 1:
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61a, Version for Piano and Orchestra

CD 2:
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 (“Emperor”)
Fantasia in C Minor, Op. 80 (“Choral Fantasy”)

After an acclaimed first instalment, Inon Barnatan, Alan Gilbert and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields complete their Beethoven piano concertos diptych. This recording project bears the fruit of longstanding and profound musical friendships. While the 2nd Piano Concerto is fairly Mozartian in spirit, the famous 5th “Emperor” Concerto reveals Beethoven’s full maturation, and is one of the most popular piano concertos to this very day. These pieces are complemented by two rarities: Beethoven’s arrangement for piano and orchestra of his Violin Concerto, as well as his Choral Fantasy, a small-scale forerunner of his epic “Choral” Ninth Symphony.

Inon Barnatan is one of the most admired pianists of his generation (New York Times). The Academy of St Martin in the Fields has built a consistent repertoire with the label throughout the years. Alan Gilbert made his PENTATONE debut with Beethoven Piano Concertos Part 1 in 2019.

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This album was recorded at Air Studios, Lyndhurst Hall, London in December 2015 (Piano Concerto No. 2) and September 2017 (Piano Concerto No. 5 and Violin Concerto), as well as at the Church of St Jude-on-the-Hill, London in January 2020 (Choral Fantasy).