Bernard Roberts Plays Beethoven

[Todd]

Bernard Roberts' cycle is a cycle I've long been aware of, but I didn't take the plunge until now.  That the cycle is on Nimbus always gave me pause, mostly for sonic reasons.  But now, running so low on other options, I figured why not, especially given that the cycle is so cheap.  I was in for a big surprise.

The Roberts cycle is possibly the most consistent cycle I've heard, and it's generally excellent, surpassing my expectations.  What one gets is not flashy, willful, showy Beethoven.  What one gets is as straightforward a reading of the sonatas as I can imagine.  There are no exaggerated dynamics, no extreme tempi.  This is Beethoven playing shorn of excesses and eccentricities; nothing detracts from Beethoven.  The early sonatas are just right, filled with youthful energy and drive, and delivered with a serious mien.  The middle sonatas are more adventurous and more dynamic, and delivered with a serious mien.  The late sonatas are transcendent and probing, and delivered with a serious mien.  Using Ned Rorem's classification system, this is smart music played in a smart fashion.  With one exception – Op 54 – every sonata was exactly what I wanted to hear, and even that exception was only mildly disappointing.  Otherwise nothing really stands out for me.  The whole cycle is good.  I can't say that the playing revelatory, but I can say that dropping in a CD and just listening to the whole thing is easy.  That's not always the case.

There is the issue of sound quality.  It is too reverberant and distant, resulting in some detail being blurred.  But the sound isn't terrible. 

There's much to admire in this cycle.  The no-nonsense playing is refreshing and disarming.  Roberts comes across as the polar opposite of a pianist like Russell Sherman.  If Roberts can't deliver playing as elevated as Sherman does at times, he makes up for it in consistency.  In many ways the Roberts cycle strikes me as the perfect "middle of the road" cycle, in the best possible sense.  Were the sound better, it might very well be the ideal starter cycle for a newcomer.  This is an excellent cycle and the best overall cycle for me since Takahiro Sonada's Denon set.

[Franco]

Interesting - thanks for the detailed review. 

How does his playing compare to say, Goode, or O'Conor - both of whom I also think of as straight forward and consistent.

[Todd]

How does his playing compare to say, Goode, or O'Conor - both of whom I also think of as straight forward and consistent.

He's not as cold as Goode, and he's not as poetic as O'Conor.  I'd take Roberts over O'Conor, and both over Goode.  (Full disclosure, I don't like Goode.)

[springrite]

The only complete set I have is Annie Fischer. I am tempted by this set. Good compliment addition to the Fischer?

[Todd]

The only complete set I have is Annie Fischer. I am tempted by this set. Good compliment addition to the Fischer?

Yes, I think it would be.  Roberts is not in Annie's league overall, but his approach offers enough of a contrast.

[George]

I am pleased that you like this set more than I do, Todd. Of the dozen or so that I own, it is my least favorite. That said, I think he does incredibly well on Op. 110 and the Moonlight Sonata.

My pick for a budget set is Gulda's on Brilliant, but I fear that it's no longer in print. 

[Todd]

My pick for a budget set is Gulda's on Brilliant, but I fear that it's no longer in print.

It looks like many erstwhile budget sets are no longer available in budget form.  Among those readily available, I'd have to say that either Kempff or Heidsieck are the way to go.  Either one of these, or the Gulda, are better than Roberts, enjoyable as his cycle is.

[Josquin des Prez]

Yves Nat is also cheap and probably better as well.

[Gurn Blanston]

It looks like many erstwhile budget sets are no longer available in budget form.  Among those readily available, I'd have to say that either Kempff or Heidsieck are the way to go.  Either one of these, or the Gulda, are better than Roberts, enjoyable as his cycle is.

So you're saying (if I understand) that if I have Gulda (Brilliant) and Kempff (from Complete Beethoven Edition) and O'Conor that I probably don't need Roberts? Pity, your review had me thinking about it.

[Franco]

I have maybe a dozen sets of Beethoven Sonatas (I know, pretty shabby compared to some on the forum), so no Roberts for me.  But when Brautigam finishes his set (has he?) and it is offered in a nicely priced box - I'm there.

[George]

It looks like many erstwhile budget sets are no longer available in budget form.  Among those readily available, I'd have to say that either Kempff or Heidsieck are the way to go.  Either one of these, or the Gulda, are better than Roberts, enjoyable as his cycle is.

I have yet to listen through my stereo Kempff, but the mono is great.

[George]

The only complete set I have is Annie Fischer. I am tempted by this set. Good compliment addition to the Fischer?

I'd say that the mono Kempff would be a splendid compliment to the Annie Fischer, as their styles are very different.

[Todd]

Yves Nat is also cheap and probably better as well.

Cheap yes, better no.

So you're saying (if I understand) that if I have Gulda (Brilliant) and Kempff (from Complete Beethoven Edition) and O'Conor that I probably don't need Roberts? Pity, your review had me thinking about it.

Depends how many cycles you want.  Roberts is sufficiently different from the names you mention to warrant consideration.  Of course, if the three you mention are the only three you have, then there are larger holes in your collection to fill.

[Gurn Blanston]

Cheap yes, better no.



Depends how many cycles you want.  Roberts is sufficiently different from the names you mention to warrant consideration.  Of course, if the three you mention are the only three you have, then there are larger holes in your collection to fill.

Oh, not at all. Those were just three that you mentioned. Of course, I have no intention to follow you down the road to completism (I have my own Beethoven issue to deal with in that regard), but I do like to hear a different take now and again. I mostly listen to fortepiano versions now, but always open to something new.

[Josquin des Prez]

Cheap yes, better no.

Better, yes. Nat playing is so down to hearth and natural its like he is improvising most of the sonatas. That little i heard of Bernard Roberts made me comatose.

[Bulldog]

Better, yes. Nat playing is so down to hearth and natural its like he is improvising most of the sonatas. That little i heard of Bernard Roberts made me comatose.

It's good to see that you're not comatose any longer.

For those who have access, the Roberts/Beethoven cycle is available through the Naxos Music Library.  We can check it out to know if it has that comatose effect. 

[Todd]

Better, yes.

You're entitled to your wrong opinion.

[SonicMan46]

Oh, not at all. Those were just three that you mentioned. Of course, I have no intention to follow you down the road to completism (I have my own Beethoven issue to deal with in that regard), but I do like to hear a different take now and again. I mostly listen to fortepiano versions now, but always open to something new.

Well, I guess that I'm w/ Gurn, i.e. I own the Annie Fischer & Kempff sets and am happy w/ that 'combo' on a standard piano - I'd loved to obtained a fortepiano set and not sure what may be available - Brautigam I own in many other composers, and thus would like to explore that route, also, but not as single-disc purchases - 

[Bulldog]

You're entitled to your wrong opinion.

Niether of you is right or wrong; it's just personal taste.  My view is that Roberts is very enjoyable and a safe recommendation.  Nat might not be as appealing to a general audience, but I'd have to pick his set for a more individualized set of interpretations.

[Gurn Blanston]

Well, I guess that I'm w/ Gurn, i.e. I own the Annie Fischer & Kempff sets and am happy w/ that 'combo' on a standard piano - I'd loved to obtained a fortepiano set and not sure what may be available - Brautigam I own in many other composers, and thus would like to explore that route, also, but not as single-disc purchases - 

Dave, I would certainly set my sights on Brautigam, even if it takes waiting for a Big Box to be able to justify it. For one thing, it is in the running to become, like, only the second cycle to be completed, AFAIK. I don't think Komen is complete, and don't know if it will be (although I would love to have it as a complete set). The only complete cycle already (that I've heard of at least) is Badura-Skoda on Astrée, and good luck getting that one together! (it took me 10 years! )  Komen is sweet though, you should check out 1 disk and see what you think.



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