A first rate soloist and conductor with a first rate orchestra playing a first rate piano/orchestra repertoire: that is what this two-DVD set is all about. It is one thing to have these performances of Beethoven’s five piano concertos on compact disc and quite another to have them on DVD.

First, the sound is exemplary. The performances at the 2007 Klavier-Festival Ruhr brim with the vitality and virility of Beethoven. Second, the video portion is also exemplary. Pristine clarity and thoughtful camera work make these performances special. Performance on a 5.1 surround sound system allows the listener to fully experience both the compositions and performances.

Barenboim is a fine Beethoven interpreter, both as soloist and as conductor. His work with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (where he succeeded Sir George Solti in 1991) amply illustrates this in his superb performance of the master’s Missa Solemnis (Warner Classics). Barenboim was named General Music Director of the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin and in the autumn of 2000, the Staatskapelle Berlin appointed him Chief Conductor for Life where he continued his Beethoven recording with the Nine Symphonies and Overtures. What a fine orchestra for such a fine conductor.

The current DVD shows the 66-year-old Barenboim perfectly balanced in his playing and conducting. The producers took great care in capturing Barenboim’s hands often as well as his expressive conducting. The maestro obviously has a very warm rapport with the orchestra and the grateful German audience. He and the orchestra are of equal grace, measured and emotive in the same breath. This is a splendid rendering of the pinnacle of Beethoven’s piano output and a sharp documentation of Barenboim in full possession of his powers.

Selections:

• DVD1: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in C major, op. 15; Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, op. 19; Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, op. 37.
• DVD2: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G major, op. 58; Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in E flat major, op. 73.
  

Personnel: Daniel Barenboim, soloist and conductor; Staatskapelle Berlin.

Production Notes: DVD 1 has a run time of 114 minutes, DVD 2 has a run time of 84 minutes. Format: Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC 16/9, PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1.

Performances were recorded at the Jahrunderthalle, Bochum for the Klavier-Festival Ruhr, 21-23 May 2007.