Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major Op. 58
1. Allegro moderato
2. Andante con moto in E minor
3. Rondo (Vivace)
Hans Knappertsbusch at the Wiener Festwochen, 1962
Wilhelm Backhaus, piano, Wiener Philharmoniker conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch
This footage is taken from the live broadcast made by Austrian Radio on both television and radio and provides an exciting and valuable historical document of this memorable concert given in 1962 by uncompromising conductor Hans Knappertsbusch, an unsurpassed interpreter of Wagner.
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Hans Knappertsbusch formed a celebrated partnership for 35 years, giving 210 concerts and playing for innumerable performances at the Vienna State Opera. This particular concert was one of the first to be given in the majestic setting of the newly restored Theater an der Wien, and it forms a magnificent backdrop to the powerful repertoire.
The soloist performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto in G major is Wilhelm Backhaus, a phenomenal 78 years old at the time of the recording.
Recorded at the Theater an der Wien, Vienna, 31 May 1962.
