Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

[Mandryka]

Is there a preferred complete album of the Bagatelles for solo piano? Brendel, Osborne, Williencourt, Jando, etc.?

Tobias Koch; Trudelies Leonhardt (but it's spread over three CDs.)

[George]

Kovacevich/Philips (1970s) for all sets with opus numbers, Gould for op.126 (+ op.33).

Agreed on both, plus Brendel Philips. (Forgot about Gould)

[SonicMan46]

Bagatelles - owned Brendel below, but also a couple fortepiano versions - some comments on the latter two recordings in the attachment, for those interested.  Dave

   

[pjme]

Piano builder Chris Maene from Ruiselede/Belgium, is building a replica of a Ludwig van Beethoven piano. The piano was used by the German composer during his final years, but is no longer playable. The reconstruction is being done in collaboration with KU Leuven and the Orpheus Institute in Ghent. They previously built historical replicas of two other Beethoven pianos. "With this Graf replica, we complete the trilogy of three surviving Beethoven pianos," says Professor Tom Beghin.

Because restoration to its original state is not possible, the piano is now being reconstructed. This is being done in collaboration with KU Leuven and the Orpheus Institute in Ghent. A similar reconstruction was also carried out with Beethoven's other two pianos: the Johan Broadwood & Sons and the Erard Frères.

Specifically, KU Leuven conducted the research into Beethoven's late style and piano technology, while the Orpheus Institute in Ghent serves as an artistic and experimental laboratory where the replica will be actively played and studied.


"Instruments are usually ordered from different builders, but with Tom Beghin, I form a kind of tandem in terms of research, knowledge, and trust," says Maene. "As a result, there was really only one workshop to which the Beethoven-Haus was willing to entrust this research and construction, and that was mine."



https://orpheusinstituut.be/nl/publicaties/beethovens-french-piano
https://www.arts.kuleuven.be/scicomm/english/research-stories/interviews/beethovenspianos
https://www.chrismaene.be/
https://www.beethoven.de/en/press/view/5647219415842816/Beethoven%26%2339%3Bs+last+grand+piano+to+be+reconstructed

[SonicMan46]

Piano builder Chris Maene from Ruiselede/Belgium, is building a replica of a Ludwig van Beethoven piano. The piano was used by the German composer during his final years, but is no longer playable. The reconstruction is being done in collaboration with KU Leuven and the Orpheus Institute in Ghent. They previously built historical replicas of two other Beethoven pianos. "With this Graf replica, we complete the trilogy of three surviving Beethoven pianos," says Professor Tom Beghin.

Because restoration to its original state is not possible, the piano is now being reconstructed. This is being done in collaboration with KU Leuven and the Orpheus Institute in Ghent. A similar reconstruction was also carried out with Beethoven's other two pianos: the Johan Broadwood & Sons and the Erard Frères.

Specifically, KU Leuven conducted the research into Beethoven's late style and piano technology, while the Orpheus Institute in Ghent serves as an artistic and experimental laboratory where the replica will be actively played and studied.


"Instruments are usually ordered from different builders, but with Tom Beghin, I form a kind of tandem in terms of research, knowledge, and trust," says Maene. "As a result, there was really only one workshop to which the Beethoven-Haus was willing to entrust this research and construction, and that was mine."



https://orpheusinstituut.be/nl/publicaties/beethovens-french-piano
https://www.arts.kuleuven.be/scicomm/english/research-stories/interviews/beethovenspianos
https://www.chrismaene.be/
https://www.beethoven.de/en/press/view/5647219415842816/Beethoven%26%2339%3Bs+last+grand+piano+to+be+reconstructed

Well, is Beghin going to do the sonatas on the instrument once built, like the Haydn ones?  The book is available on Amazon (see attachment) but the Kindle price is outrageous; I'd like make a purchase if under $20?  Dave

ADDENDUM:  Just checked my local Wake Forest University library and the book is available, so will see if I can borrow it -

[Iota]

Piano builder Chris Maene from Ruiselede/Belgium, is building a replica of a Ludwig van Beethoven piano. The piano was used by the German composer during his final years, but is no longer playable. The reconstruction is being done in collaboration with KU Leuven and the Orpheus Institute in Ghent. They previously built historical replicas of two other Beethoven pianos. "With this Graf replica, we complete the trilogy of three surviving Beethoven pianos," says Professor Tom Beghin.

Because restoration to its original state is not possible, the piano is now being reconstructed. This is being done in collaboration with KU Leuven and the Orpheus Institute in Ghent. A similar reconstruction was also carried out with Beethoven's other two pianos: the Johan Broadwood & Sons and the Erard Frères.

Specifically, KU Leuven conducted the research into Beethoven's late style and piano technology, while the Orpheus Institute in Ghent serves as an artistic and experimental laboratory where the replica will be actively played and studied.


"Instruments are usually ordered from different builders, but with Tom Beghin, I form a kind of tandem in terms of research, knowledge, and trust," says Maene. "As a result, there was really only one workshop to which the Beethoven-Haus was willing to entrust this research and construction, and that was mine."



https://orpheusinstituut.be/nl/publicaties/beethovens-french-piano
https://www.arts.kuleuven.be/scicomm/english/research-stories/interviews/beethovenspianos
https://www.chrismaene.be/
https://www.beethoven.de/en/press/view/5647219415842816/Beethoven%26%2339%3Bs+last+grand+piano+to+be+reconstructed

Interesting guy, Tom Beghin (and I fully empathise with Chris Maene's excitement at being in such close proximity to the keys Beethoven played on!).

[pjme]

Well, is Beghin going to do the sonatas on the instrument once built, like the Haydn ones?  

Well, the instrument hasn't been built yet.    Let's be patient!

After completion, the Graf replica will remain available for research at the Orpheus Institute for five years. The instrument will also tour Europe before finally returning to Bonn, to the Beethoven House.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

The Beethoven String Quartet Cycle Survey has been updated quite a bit, FYI.

04/22/26: Added the Quatuor Ébène DVD cycle (2020), the second volume of the Ariel Quartet's cycle, the complete Verus String Quartet cycle (2017-2025), and the complete box set of the Calidore cycle. Work on adding the Shanghai, and Quartetto Classico cycles is also under way. The Arianna Quartet has finished their cycle (2011-2020); I have added it, pending more exact information. Thanks again to Merl for great tips & links in the comment section!

Eagle-eyed readers will notice that the Chiaroscuro-cycle under way on BIS is still missing, but that'll be added, soon... especially since I know have the dates of the remaining planned recordings to share.