Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos 4 in G & 5 in E flat 'Emperor'

"The Kempff/Leitner performances bring another outstanding mid-priced recommendation. In the Forth Concerto Kempff's delicacy of fingerwork and his shading of tone-colour are unsurpassed."
* * * Three Stars (Penguin Stereo Guide)

Wilhelm Kempff was born near Berlin, and grew up in Potsdam. At the age of nine Kempff was awarded two scholarships to the Royal School of Music in Berlin, for the study of the piano with the Royal Court Pianist Heinrich Barth and of composition with Robert Kahn.

In 1914 he completed his studies at the Viktoria Gymnasium and in 1916 completed his composition and piano examinations with distinction, twice winning the Mendelssohn Prize. Thereafter he gave concerts as both pianist and organist around the world. His repertory ranged from the Baroque to the Romantic styles. The pianist gave his last public performance in Paris in 1981. His suffered from Parkinson's disease.