Steven Lubin, Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood - Beethoven: Piano Concertos (1988)

At present this is the only available set of Beethoven's piano concertos on period instruments, although others are in progress. The lean sound of the small ensemble enables you to clearly hear countless details that are obscured on even the best modern orchestra recordings. Steven Lubin's performances, and the different instruments he uses, are carefully attuned to the qualities of each individual concerto. His performances are triumphs of insight and expressiveness, and Hogwood makes sure the orchestra stays with him in every detail. My only major complaint about this set is that the wasted space on the third disc, which contains only the Emperor Concerto, should have been used for more Beethoven. -- Leslie Gerber