Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 & Works for Solo Piano

Italian pianist Alessio Bax’s performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto is striking for its majestic approach and solid integrity: There’s no doubt that this pianist believes wholeheartedly, from the first flourish, in this powerful utterance. The slow movement is lyrical and full of personality while the finale has a joyous, life-affirming quality that’s hard to resist. Bidding farewell to the stylish Southbank Sinfonia, Bax continues alone with some well-chosen pieces of very early and fairly late Beethoven, drawing on the full colour palette of a modern concert grand.