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Introduction:

• Composed in 1809 in Vienna and dedicated to Archduke Rudolf of Austria, who was his patron, friend, and pupil.
• Premiered on 28 November 1811 in Leipzig, with Friedrich Schneider as the soloist and Johann Philipp Christian Schulz conducting the Gewandhaus Orchestra.
• The origin of the epithet ‘Emperor” is uncertain; it may have been coined by Johann Baptist Cramer, the English publisher of the Concerto.

Recordings:

• The Beethoven Journey, Piano Concerto No. 5, Choral Fantasy.
  Leif Ove Andsnes.
  Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
  Sony.
  Gramophone Magazine (2014): Editor’s Choice.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2014): Finalist.

• Piano Concertos.
  Vladimir Ashkenazy.
  Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
  Sir Georg Solti.
  DECCA.
  Grammy Awards (1973): Best Classical Instrumental Solo Recording.

• Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5 “Emperor”
  Kristian Bezuidenhout (fortepiano).
  Freiburger Barockorchester.
  Pablo Heras-Casado.
  Harmonia Mundi.
  BBC Music Magazine (2020): Concerto Choice.
  Gramophone Magazine (2020): Critics’ Choice.
  Opus Klassik Awards (2020): Nominee Conductor of the Year.
  Opus Klassik Awards (2020): Nominee Instrumentalist of the Year.
  Radio 3 Record Review (2020): Record of the Week.

• The Piano Concertos.
  Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano).
  Die Kolner Akademie.
  Michael Alexander Willens.
  BIS.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2019): Finalist.

• Piano Concerto No. 5, Choral Fantasy.
  Yefim Bronfman.
  Tonhalle Orchester Zurich.
  David Zinman.
  Arte Nova Classics.
  Gramophone Magazine (2006): Editor’s Choice.

• Piano Concertos 2 & 5 “Emperor”
  Martin Helmchen.
  Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.
  Andrew Manze.
  Alpha.
  Gramophone Magazine (2019): Editor’s Choice.
  International Classical Music Awards (2019): Nominee Concerto.
  Gramophone Awards (2020): Finalist Concerto.
  Gramophone Awards (2020): Beethoven250 Award.

• The Piano Concertos.
  Stephen Hough.
  Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
  Hannu Lintu.
  Hyperion.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2020): Finalist.
  Radio 3 Record Review (2020): Record of the Week.
  The Times Records of the Year (2020).

• Complete Piano Concertos.
  Paul Lewis.
  BBC Symphony Orchestra.
  Jiri Belohlavek.
  Harmonia Mundi.
  Gramophone Magazine (2010): Disc of the Month.
  Presto Recording of the Week (2010).

• The Complete Piano Concertos.
  Murray Perahia.
  Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
  Bernard Haitink
  Sony.
  Gramophone Awards (1986): Winner Concerto.

• Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra.
  Howard Shelley.
  Orchestra of Opera North.
  Chandos.
  Gramophone Magazine (2012): Editor’s Choice.

• Klavierkonzerte 1 – 5.
  Mitsuko Uchida.
  Berliner Philharmoniker.
  Sir Simon Rattle.
  Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings.
  Gramophone Magazine (2019): Editor’s Choice.
  Radio 3 Record Review (2019): Disc of the Year.

• Complete Piano Concertos.
  Krystian Zimerman.
  London Symphony Orchestra.
  Simon Rattle.
  Deutsche Grammophon.
  BBC Music Magazine (2021): Recording of the Month.
  Presto Recording of the Week (2021).
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2021): Winner.
  BBC Music Magazine Awards (2022): Shortlisted Concerto.
  International Classical Music Magazine Awards (2022): Nominated Concerto.

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Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.