Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 4

“the Swedish orchestra’s strength, subtlety and sonority establish a good foundation and foil for Pires’s performances here. That wonderfully rounded, opalescent tone that her touch invariably produces is coupled with the insight, poetic sensibility and discreet life-giving force that come from years of experience.” --The Telegraph, 31st July 2014 *****

“she’s recording the third and fourth piano concertos for the first time — and playing them with such unaffected simplicity that you always feel the notes speaking, never the pianist herself. Turbulent emotions, grandiose gestures and winking gaiety arrive as they should, yet nothing is pushed to extremes.” --The Times, 18th July 2014 ****

Maria João Pires joins ONYX. Her first release for the label is of two Beethoven concertos she has played often, but never before recorded. After giving concerts in Stockholm last October, she went directly into the studio with Daniel Harding and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. This remarkable recording is the result. These are performances of such passion, poetry and drama - Beethoven as he should sound, just as if you are hearing these great concertos for the first time!

Maria João Pires has provided a personal note on her approach to these works.

“Surprisingly, Pires’s beautifully clear singing tone and exemplary articulation, in this set, seem to suit the fiery C minor better than the lyrical G major...the playing of the Swedes is characteristically vivid and sensitive.” --Sunday Times, 27th June 2014