BEETHOVEN TRIPLE CONCERTO – ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER • YO-YO MA • DANIEL BARENBOIM

This fantastic album brings together three performers: the fabulous German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, the distinguished French-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Argentine maestro Daniel Barenboim. The album was recorded in live sessions held at the Kirchner Cultural Center in Buenos Aires and at the Philharmonie hall in Berlin.  

This recording is a triple celebration because it celebrates the 250 years of Beethoven, the 20 years of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and the 40 years since the historic recording made by Anne-Sophie Mutter and Yo -Yo Ma with Herbert von Karajan.  

It is a fascinating album, full of astonishment, revelations and discoveries.  

Yo-Yo Ma had already performed another version of the Triple Concerto with Daniel Barenboim: in 1995, Itzhak Perlman on violin and Barenboim conducting the Berlin Philharmonic from the piano. Once again he sits in front of the Barenboim keyboard and from there now conducts the Orchestra that he founded 20 years ago with the Palestinian philosopher Edward Said, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra.  

Just from the orchestral introduction of the Triple Concerto, we can already foresee an exceptional performance by the orchestra, masterfully leaded by Barenboim from the piano carried with momentum and confidence, marking the rhythms with intensity and giving flexibility to the tuttis.  Yo-Yo Ma’s entrance is brilliant, empowering the cello with charming warmth. The magic is completed by the vigorous dialogue between the cello and Mutter’s violin, which is greatly supported from the piano by Barenboim’s interpretations, always cautious but of unparalleled musical delicacy and sophistication.  

These three colossal artists achieve the excellence of chamber music with large lyrics, high technical skills in the extreme movements and absolute accomplishment in the subtle link to the second movement, where we once again enjoy the admirable opening by Ma.  

Daniel Barenboim’s readings prove his deep understanding of Beethoven’s compositions; the veteran conductor leads us to see the great truth in Beethoven’s music. The clear interpretation together with orchestra’s filling, which sounds like one of the greats, is very rewarding. It is precise and has nothing to spare or lack in a performance that shows the excellent level of the orchestra’s young members.  

We are dealing with a masterful version that will fully satisfy your expectations on their protagonists and that, with a combination of veteran and youth, achieve a Beethoven in its purest form.