Backhaus; Wilhelm

Beethoven: Piano concertos 2 & 3/Backhaus

Jed Distler

Wilhelm Backhaus’ 1952 recording of Beethoven’s Second Concerto with the Vienna Philharmonic falls short of his stereo remake six years later. The main problem lies

Brahms; Schumann: Concerto; Fantasia/Backhaus

Jed Distler

Wilhelm Backhaus’ 1939 Brahms Second Concerto remains one of this oft-recorded work’s discographic high-points. The pianist negotiates each and every one of the composer’s cruel

Beethoven: Symphonies/Schmidt-Isserstedt

Jed Distler

At long last Decca reissues Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt’s Vienna Philharmonic Beethoven cycle from the 1960s in full, together with the conductor’s accounts of the concertos, featuring

Backhaus 1966 Salzburg recital/Orfeo C

Jed Distler

The Mozart selections are most convincing in this previously unpublished 1966 Salzburg recital featuring the sprightly, 82-year-old Wilhelm Backhaus. If anything, the G major sonata

Kna’s sloppy Ludwig b/Melodram C

Jed Distler

Hans Knappertsbusch’s imposing presence in the concert hall must have been something to behold. Even within the limitations of these archival radio broadcast tapes, you

Backhaus Brahms 2 Decca C

David Hurwitz

Wilhelm Backhaus was 83 years young when he committed this outstanding Brahms Second Concerto to disc in 1967 (the Mozart dates from 12 years earlier).