Lubin's set should sit in everyone's collection

For a newcomer to Beethoven on period instruments; this set will cast new light on the oft-recorded works. This set shows something essentially Mozartean in these concertos; but with Beethoven's personality shining through. It is nothing strange to know that Beethoven admired Mozart's oeuvre in this genre and performed some of them regularly during his career as a pianist.

This recording was the first to attempt the Beethoven piano concertos on the pianoforte with period instruments accompanying. An interesting fact is that Lubin plays each concerto on a different instrument; each carefully tuned and sounded to suit the time period in which the piece was conceived, and to give us a closer look at how these masterpieces would have sounded in the composer's hands. The lean sound of the pianoforte allows us to discover many details not to be heard in many recordings using modern instruments. The Fast passagework can not have been clearer with each note perfectly heard.

The pianist is accompanied by Christopher Hogwood leading the Academy of Ancient Music; who provide a distinctive performance to complement the soloist; a successful collaboration indeed. The orchestra easily reaches the loudest fortes without drowning the mellow pianoforte.

Casting the matters of history and authenticity aside to look at the interpretation; we find that it cannot be more convincing; the phrasing cannot be more rounded and sensitive; the sound cannot be more refined. Lubin's lyricism show in the slower movements; while his interesting use of the instrument's sonorities is not ignored in loud passages. Tempos are well thought-of and rubato is tasteful and never excessive. Steven Lubin shows that he is a really capable pianist; who is not only concerned by matters of authentic period practice, but also wants to add his personal stamp to a list of many available sets. And with the interpretation alone; I confidently say that it can stand on its own as one of the finest, period instruments or not.

Sound quality is top-notch, and the balance between the soloist and orchestra is achieved successfully. I think this set ought to be in anyone's collection; especially with the recent cheaper re-release with the added bonus of three piano sonatas.

Ahmed Bassiouny