Recommendation for Beethoven Piano Sonata

alexh · January 12, 2013, 11:05:23 AM

I don't know much about his piano sonatas, but I heard the Sonata Lunii in a movie and found it utterly beautiful.
A lot of good disks on Amazon - any recommendations?
Quality of the recording is imporatant.

Thanks

jut1972 · January 12, 2013, 11:22:44 AM

If you want a cheap set to listen to then amazon uk are selling the Artur Schnabel set on mp3 for £1.09

The sound quality isnt great but the performance is great. Be worth getting as its so cheap to get a handle on which ones you like or whether you want a complete set or not.

Cato · January 12, 2013, 02:13:56 PM

For decades I have marveled at Wilhelm Backhaus and his performances of the last 3 sonatas.

For Christmas my wife gave me the Decca complete sonatas performed by Backhaus: it has been a great experience listening to these.

Backhaus was born in the 1880's, and met Brahms: the recordings on Decca are all in stereo and (obviously) Backhaus was in his 70's and 80's when they were made.

Another Wilhelm, Wilhelm Kempff also can be recommended.

xochitl · January 12, 2013, 02:59:27 PM

second the Backhaus

Lisztianwagner · January 12, 2013, 03:23:34 PM

It is not very cheap, though I would recommend the Ashkenazy set; he is a superb pianist and in those recordings I think he was able to express all the elegance, the beauty and the passion of Beethoven's music. The sound quality is also very good.

SonicMan46 · January 12, 2013, 04:06:30 PM

Quote from: alexh on January 12, 2013, 11:05:23 AM
I don't know much about his piano sonatas, but I heard the Sonata Lunii in a movie and found it utterly beautiful.
A lot of good disks on Amazon - any recommendations?
Quality of the recording is imporatant.

Hi Alexh - welcome to the GMG Forum!

The Beethoven Piano Sonatas are an oft discussed topic here and a number of threads already exist - you might want to try This ONE for starters. In addition, some more information as to your desires would help, e.g. do you want a complete set or just a sampling, and if a complete set 'how much' do you want to pay? Sound quality will be quite variable, especially on the older recordings so pay particular attention when reviewing the posts. Good luck!

Gurn Blanston · January 12, 2013, 04:06:41 PM

Has anyone yet actually read the question?

He wants a good sound quality, good recording of the Moonlight Sonata.

Cato · January 12, 2013, 04:20:46 PM

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on January 12, 2013, 04:06:41 PM
Has anyone yet actually read the question?

He wants a good sound quality, good recording of the Moonlight Sonata.

Yes, I read it, and recommended Backhaus and Kempff for all the sonatas. They, along with Ashkenazy and Schnabel, will give Alex H. a fine experience with the Moonlight and the other sonatas.

In case Alex H. wants to explore more than just one of the 32 sonatas, he now has some choices for sets. If not, then he can look for those pianists via single CD's.

Rhymenoceros · January 12, 2013, 08:00:07 PM

Start with these two sets:

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mc ukrneal · January 13, 2013, 04:50:36 AM

Moonlight Sonata in good sound. I would pick Moravec on Supraphon label, which was recommended by others on this forum. All the sonatas here are well known and well played, and so an excellent jumping off point. Can be bought from MP seller on Amazon (or as an mp3 here: http://www.amazon.com/Ivan-Moravec-Plays-Beethoven/dp/B002G7440W/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1358084236&sr=8-7&keywords=beethoven+moravec). This one:
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Lisztianwagner · January 13, 2013, 04:56:12 AM

Quote from: Lisztianwagner on January 12, 2013, 03:23:34 PM
It is not very cheap, though I would recommend the Ashkenazy set; he is a superb pianist and in those recordings I think he was able to express all the elegance, the beauty and the passion of Beethoven's music. The sound quality is also very good.

Otherwise, this one:

Holden · January 13, 2013, 10:16:04 AM

This, to me, is the definitive version of the Moonlight sonata. The slow movement, which is what you probably heard, is still beautiful but Solomon brings out the darker side of the work by placing a greater emphasis on the music in the left hand. It is also played very slowly and this leads into what sounds to me like a natural change up in tempo for the second movement. The only downside is that it is a mono recording.

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DavidA · January 14, 2013, 10:01:07 AM

Try Kempff in his earlier mono recording. Of nuance and a virtuosity which is not in his later version.

val · January 16, 2013, 01:08:05 AM

First Wilhelm Kempff (1951). Then Friedrich Gulda. And then Backhaus and Arrau.