It was to have been the culmination of Leonard Bernstein's Beethoven cycle:
the recording of all five piano concertos with a leading pianist of the
younger generation. What it became is an example of enlightened music-
making, the document of an incredible empathy between conductor, soloist
and orchestra - an empathy so strong that it overrode even the maestro's
death. In Krystian Zimerman, Bernstein had found a congenial partner. But
the full extent of Zimerman's congeniality emerged only after the maestro's
death on 14 October 1990. Concertos Nos. 3, 4 and 5 had been recorded. A
decision had to be taken with regard to concertos Nos. 1 and 2: either a
new conductor had to be found or, following the practice of the 18th and
early 19th centuries, the orchestra would be entrusted to the soloist. The
latter alternative was chosen - a decision applauded throughout the music
world: "In their overall musical impact, the Concertos Op. 15 and Op. 19
sound so well-thought-out and yet so passionate that it seems as if
Bernstein had tacitly passed on his art to his pianist of choice."
(Frankfurter Rundschau) Born in Zabrze, Poland, on 7 December 1956,
Krystian Zimerman won the first prize in the Chopin Competition in Warsaw
in 1975. After expanding his repertoire and studying in London in 1980, he
made a name for himself in numerous concerts and recordings as one of the
most talented pianists of his generation.
The DVD is also released within the complete "Beethoven / Bernstein" DVD package which is available in selected stores worldwide and through Amazon or JPC.