Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15

Soloist: Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic

Conductor: Ferdinand Leitner

Recorded: June 29, 1961

Venue: UFA-Tonstudio, Berlin, West Germany

Label: Deutsche Grammophon 138774 SLPM

 The Second Movement (Largo) of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 always makes me think of Nairobi, Kenya, a city so dear and special to me that I claim it as my home. Beautiful. Sweet, heartwarming, tender, sublime. I am at peace.

Willem Kemp and the Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Ferdinand Leitner, did justice to Beethoven’s second composition in this form (yes, this was his second piano concerto, but published as his first because of the opus numbering.) This reissue record has great sound that presents the rich and warm strings of the BPO and showcases Kempff magisterial account very well.

There are many outstanding performances of this work to choose from. Kempff remains my top choice.