Few pianists have provoked greater awe and controversy than Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli: awe through his crystalline perfection, controversy through interpretations that ranged from the chilly to the sublime. At his greatest the results were unforgettable and, in common with one or two artists in each generation, he could eclipse even his most illustrious colleagues. All who heard him were left with indelible memories of this ‘difficult' and autocratic arch-perfectionist of the keyboard. Two of the most exciting recordings from ABM are unequivocally his benchmark Débussy Préludes (Book I), recorded in 1978, and his Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 Emperor, recorded with the Wiener Symphoniker and Carlo Maria Giulini in 1982. The latter masterpiece is reissued here on 180g vinyl LP courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon.

Musicians:
Ludwig van Beethoven, composer
Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, piano
Wiener Symphoniker