Richter-Hasser LvB 4th Cto

This is due to be released next month on Testament. They rave about it and quote two reviews (one by Deryck Cooke) comparing it more than favourably with the Gilels/Ludwig, Backhaus etc. Has anyone heard this (obviously on LP) and how do you rate it?

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and quote two reviews (one by Deryck Cooke) comparing it more than favourably with the Gilels/Ludwig, Backhaus etc. Has anyone heard this (obviously on LP) and how do you rate it?

If this is the recording with Kertesz and the Philharmonia Orchestra (1961/1962) I think it's possibly the same one that has been issued on cd by Disky (Royal Classics ROY 8413), coupled with concerto #5.

Correct (at least, if they're referring to the same performance). I've tried a several Richter-Haaser recordings over the years (Brahms 2 with Karajan, Emperor and Brahms 1 with Sanderling on Danacord, this Beethoven 4 and one or two others) and, unless the conducting was memorable in some way, found all of them dully competent - not bad, just easily surpassed (the only one I've kept is his Brahms 2 with Karajan, and that only for the filler (which I just decided I don't really want). If one's benchmarks for Beethoven cto 4 are Backhaus and Gilels/Ludwig, I suppose one would like his too (except Gilels surely beats him in terms of sheer piano playing), but I don't (give me, say, Gilels/Sanderling live any day)....

Naida Cole. March 1, 2003 Toronto. Book your tickets!