Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata

[val]

Arrau is slow but powerful, with a large phrasing.

Schnabel has more contrasts, more tension.

Backhaus, with a poor color, is the more balanced and has a perfect articulation.

Annie Fischer is also very strong, but doesn't have the presence, the personality of Arrau or Schnabel.


I would choose between the first three, or the three.

Gulda is not very good in here, and I don't like very much the versions of Gelber, Gilels or Horowitz.

I am waiting to hear the new version of Nelson Freire.

[Sergeant Rock]

Funny you should mention that, as it was this version I heard in a record store only the other day, which prompted me to post this topic. I was tempted to get it, though its full price tag rather put me off.

That is a problem (it's still full price in Germany too). This must be a perennial bestseller for DG; the price just won't come down. The box set of Gilel's Beethoven sonatas is a bargain though. Hector mentioned today that he got it for a fiver per disc.

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge is getting a lot of mileage from this one .......

Yes, I've plastered this scan all over the forum. If I can somehow get it onto the opera board, my mission will be complete 

Sarge

[Valentino]

I hav a young Alfred Brendel on a 10". Shall compare with with Sarge's poster, just have to put my turntable back together again, get our new home rebuilt and move into it. Shall we say August?

[George]

I hav a young Alfred Brendel on a 10". Shall compare with with Sarge's poster, just have to put my turntable back together again, get our new home rebuilt and move into it. Shall we say August?

Is that the one on Vox? Or an earlier one?

[Valentino]

It's in a subscription series called "The great musicians", copyright 1965 Fabbri-Milan, George, so I guess it's not the same as the Vox. Maybe somebody in here knows?

[Josquin des Prez]

Funny you should mention that, as it was this version I heard in a record store only the other day, which prompted me to post this topic. I was tempted to get it, though its full price tag rather put me off.

Never mind the price, and buy the whole bloody set. 

[George]

It's in a subscription series called "The great musicians", copyright 1965 Fabbri-Milan, George, so I guess it's not the same as the Vox. Maybe somebody in here knows?

My Vox is dated 1962-64. It's possible that they are one in the same.

[Valentino]

In the same series I also have AB in Pathetique and Moonlight. Did he do those for Vox?

[George]

In the same series I also have AB in Pathetique and Moonlight. Did he do those for Vox?

Yes, he did all 32 for them. 

[Holden]

Yes, he did all 32 for them. 

Brendel has recorded the '32 three times now, the VOX set being the first (and the best IMO). There have been two for Philips - one analog and one digital. It's highly probable that this Waldstein of yours is from VOX whose recordings have a habit of coming out on other/budget labels. For example I have this Waldstein on the Australian "Award" label and they acknowledge licensing from VOX. To help you find out here are the track timings
Allegro 11:07
Adagio 3:34
Rondo 9:44

It's quite good as far as Waldstein's go but not one of my top choices.

[George]

Brendel has recorded the '32 three times now, the VOX set being the first (and the best IMO). There have been two for Philips - one analog and one digital. It's highly probable that this Waldstein of yours is from VOX whose recordings have a habit of coming out on other/budget labels. For example I have this Waldstein on the Australian "Award" label and they acknowledge licensing from VOX. To help you find out here are the track timings
Allegro 11:07
Adagio 3:34
Rondo 9:44

It's quite good as far as Waldstein's go but not one of my top choices.

How are Brendel's LvB PC's on VOX? I amost bought them tonight. 

[Valentino]

If the three I have are Voxes (no track timings on my LP), and you have he slightest affinity for Brendel, then buy. He's such a fantastic pianist (I happen to like his pupil Paul Lewis too, who I get to hear do LvB live one or two times a year).

On this same 10" the Waldstein outtake "Andante Favori" in F WoO 57 is played by Alberto Mozatti. Does anybody know him?

[Tsaraslondon]

It's in a subscription series called "The great musicians", copyright 1965 Fabbri-Milan, George, so I guess it's not the same as the Vox. Maybe somebody in here knows?

My dad used to buy me that series when I was a teenager. I seem to remember that the recordings were mostly Vox orginals.

[Valentino]

Great. My dad bought 24 of them, and I keep them for my sons. The liner notes are very educational. Here Brendel in Mozart K. 595:

[Todd]

How are Brendel's LvB PC's on VOX? I amost bought them tonight.

Very good - well worth the money.  And the sound quality is generally better than the Vox sonata recordings.

[George]

Very good - well worth the money.  And the sound quality is generally better than the Vox sonata recordings.

Thanks Todd. Yeah, its $15.99 for the set. 

[johnQpublic]

Gee, nobody has mentioned Barenboim. 

I just heard the finale of "his" Waldstein over Internet radio and it was the most passionless rendering imaginable. What the hell was he thinking and feeling?

[sidoze]

Barenboim is awful IMO. Heard his Appassionata at the RFH several years back, just dreadful. He looks very good in those master classes on Youtube though.

[Holden]

Gee, nobody has mentioned Barenboim. 

I just heard the finale of "his" Waldstein over Internet radio and it was the most passionless rendering imaginable. What the hell was he thinking and feeling?

If it was the DG recording I agree but his version for EMI is very very good IMO. It is the lack of a real sense of onward impetus in the first movement that disqualifies it from my list of great Waldsteins.