The title says it all - what do you think is the best version of Beethoven’s piano concerto no.5 - otherwise known as the emperor? When I say the best, I am looking for quality of recording plus best interpretation.
My favourite so far is Krystian Zimerman (piano) and Leonard Bernstein conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker. It is a live recording. I am open to listening to other versions to see if any other version surpasses this version.
For those not familiar with this piece of music, I suggest listen to it deeply, in a dark room and just focus on it. The second movement would have to be the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed - and the first and third movements, well, they are perfectly balanced gems with great piano and orchestra. This concerto is simply fantastic.
This is a second vote for Fleisher with Szell/Cleveland, which has been my standard.
BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, which is usually reliable, recommended Hannes Minnaar with Jan Willem de Vriend/Netherlands SO. I plan to give that a go soon.
