Beethoven Piano Concerto in D: The London Collection

Onyx

Lest we forget, there is a sixth piano concerto by Beethoven: his own adaptation for piano and orchestra of the famous Violin Concerto, which is the major presence on this fascinating disc by pianist Dezan Lazić and the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra under Gordan Nikolić. This reworking was encouraged by the London-based pianist, composer and publisher Muzio Clementi, whose own piano sonata, alongside that of his pupil Johann Baptist Cramer also feature. Lazić addresses the concerto with crisp directness and with the same self belief that Beethoven clearly applied. The Netherlands orchestra provides a gutsy, warm-toned backing to Lazić’s virile interpretation, complete with the extravagant cadenzas provided by the composer. The Clementi and Cramer sonatas (B minor & E major respectively) are sturdy representations of their gifted craftsmanship. But they’re not Beethoven.