Leon Fleisher, George Szell, The Cleveland Orchestra - Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 (1991)

There are few, if any, cycles of the Beethoven piano concertos that can match the quality of the Szell/Fleischer cycle. These were two musicians made for each other in all respects. While the 5th concerto remains the highlight of the entire set, all of its' virtues are on display in these performances of the 1st and 3rd concertos. First and foremost there is Fleischer: dynamic and muscular when and where necessary, ravishingly delicate when required (the beauty of his playing in the largos of each of these concertos must be heard to be believed). As always Szell is sensitive and self-effacing in support, always complementing the soloist in a manner that adds to the overall success of the piece. And what can you say about the Cleveland Orchestra? With all due apologies to the Berlin Philharmonic, the Clevelanders were the finest orchestra in the world in the late 50s and throughout the 60s...and you can hear why on this CD. The sound is good for the period. For the price you cannot do better.