Ludwig Van Beethoven - Konzert Fur Klavier Und Orchestra Nr. 5 Es-Dur, Op. 73 / Wilhelm Backhaus (klavier), Gewandhausorchester Lepizig, Dirigent: Franz Konwitschny / Pilz Audio CD 1988 / CD 78 001

UPC 036244780125

The Piano Concerto No. 5 in E♭ major, Op. 73, known as the Emperor Concerto in English-speaking countries, is a concerto composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, his last completed piano concerto. Beethoven composed the concerto in 1809 under pension in Vienna, and he dedicated it to Archduke Rudolf, Beethoven's patron, friend, and pupil. The first performance took place on 28 November 1811 in Leipzig, with Friedrich Schneider as the soloist and Johann Philipp Christian Schulz conducting the Gewandhaus Orchestra. It debuted in Vienna on 12 February 1812, with Carl Czerny as the soloist.

The origin of the epithet Emperor is uncertain; it may have been coined by Johann Baptist Cramer, the English publisher of the concerto, despite the concerto having no association with any emperor. Even though its epithet is ambiguous, musicologists are certain the concerto is in the heroic style due to its military characterists and heroic symbolism. According to Donald Tovey, Beethoven would have disliked the epithet; the feeling may be due to Beethoven's dislike of Napoleon's conquest. Its duration is approximately forty minutes.

Tracklist:

1.  Allegro   19:29

2.  Adagio un poco mosso   6:43

3.  Rondo allegro ma non troppo   10:10

• Piano - Wilhelm Backhaus
• Orchestra - Gewandhausorchestra Leipzig
• Conducted - Franz Konwitschny