Daniel Barenboim: 70th Birthday Concert

A great evening
I was at this concert. I have also seen the TV coverage of it which, I am sure, the DVD was based on and ordered this but have not viewed it yet.

It was a wonderful evening in which Barenboim, Mehta and the Staatskapelle all rose to the occasion. The rapport between the two old friends was apparent. Barenboim played a few encores and came out for multiple bows at the end, obviously not wanting the evening to be over. Throw in music that everyone will love (OK, the Carter is a new piece, but it is short)and you have an ideal concert DVD.

a night to remember and enjoy !
With family and friends present, Daniel Barenboim celebrates his seventieth birthday in the company of Zubin Mehta, and the Staatskapelle Berlin. He starts with Beethoven's Piano Concerto in C minor (No. 3) and ends with Tchaikovsky's Piano No. 1 with an Eliot Carter short atonal piece sandwiched between. Both the Beethoven and Tchaikovsky are exquisitely and passionately performed by Barenboim as he commands the piano and dazzles the audience. The structural composition of each comes alive; especially in the 2nd movement of the Tchaikovsky Concerto when the beautiful Claudia Stein opens with a sad flute introduction repeated by the piano. One marvels at the nuance of the Russian composition played an Argentine Israeli with a German orchestra conducted by a man born in Bombay. Mehta in his marvelous laconic way might be seen as the onlooker but the generous Barenboim does not allow it. He brings in Mehta and makes him part of it at all times. These are two masters performing,...

The best Beethoven third concerto I ever heard.
I would recommend this DVD to every music makers/lovers. It is the best lesson in every aspects of piano playing. Phrasing, tone production, sobriety, style etc. It is the combination of the best pianist turned great conductor.

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