Title: Woeful
Product review: The most notable aspect of this recording is the deterioration of Rudolf Serkin's piano technique. He no longer seems to possess the ability to express himself through his fingers. Over and over again, it appears to be a strain on him just to maintain a regular tempo. Sonorities no longer appear to be chosen; they are just arrived at due to whatever Serkin is able to achieve at any given moment. Abbado really strains to hold things together. Often, in orchestral tuttis, Abbado feels the need to press forward, then has to slow down for Serkin's entrances, since the pianist is unable to maintain the orchestra's tempo. All of this has a derogatory effect on the London Symphony's playing, which is fairly drab and lacking in sparkle. The sound engineering captures all of these procedings fairly realistically, which may not be such a good thing. If you want to hear what Serkin could do with Mozart in his prime, search out his recording of Concertos 19 and 20 with George Szell.
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