I finally received in the mail two days ago my order of the Beethoven piano
concertos and Choral Fantasia performed by Brendel on Vox.  This was his
first Beethoven cycle, and the cd cover shows a picture of a young Brendel
ready to conquer new horizons.

Although a couple of respected list members had urged me to buy this set,
I did have one major reservation - orchestral sound.  I didn't have any
problem with Brendel's solo cd's on Vox, but I envisioned one with the
orchestra.  Sure enough, when I started to play disc 1, the orchestral
sound was poor - muffled and tinny.  It was time to plug in the equalizer,
and after some tinkering, the sound was greatly improved.  I love that
equalizer.  The piano sound is similar to that on the solo Vox cds.

As for the actual performances, I am quite pleased.  Early Brendel
isn't as insightful as recent Brendel, but is more invigorating and
straight-forward.  Orchestral support, provided by three different
conductors, is very good.

I could not recommend the Vox for those who want only one version; there
are many excellent sets of more recent vintage with fine sound.  However,
as a starter set at super bargain price, it's the best out there.  I'll be
urging my son, still in Graduate School, to get the Vox; I'd never point
him in the wrong direction.  I'll also be urging him to buy an equalizer -
no, change that to I'll buy him an equalizer.  He never asks for money
from us and deserves a little reward for his self-sufficiency.

Don Satz
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