Claudio Arrau, Staatskapelle Dresden, Sir Colin Davis - Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 (1986)

Arrau's "Emperor" reveals more angst in the first movement development than most other performances, giving the whole work an added depth of feeling. Some listeners may prefer greater general liveliness, especially in the finale, but I find the approach wholly convincing in scale and so beautifully executed as to silence criticism. Technically speaking, these performances always sounded marvelous, and they still do. Unforgettably grand. – David Hurwitz