François-Frédéric Guy, Philippe Jordan - Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 5 (2008)

French pianist François-Frédéric Guy certainly has the prerequisite technique to take on Beethoven's very difficult First Piano Concerto and his very, very difficult Fifth Piano Concerto. As this 2008 Naïve recording demonstrates, he can surmount both the racing scale and intricate filigree of the First Concerto's cadenzas and the rolling arpeggios and massive double trills in the Fifth Concerto's opening flourishes. Guy also has the strong but nuanced tone to balance power and sensitivity in the two concerto's central solo movements as well as the rhythmic vivacity to keep the music moving forward in the works' closing Rondos. Some might wish Guy had a less staccato attack so Beethoven's music sounded less balletic and had a more legato touch so his lyrical themes sounded less mincing. Still, with the subtle but powerful accompaniment of Philippe Jordan leading the skillful Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France plus Naïve's cool, colorful digital, Guy's performances will not disappoint listeners looking for another recording of these two favorite concertos.