Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[Mandryka]

Try to hear the Michelangeli 1941 Op 2/3, and the 1938 Arrau one.  Sound is pretty good in both cases.

Also Schnabel in Op 2/2 . Arrau's Philips Analogue Op 2/2 too.  The Richter Op2/1  that George mentions is good in the transfer I posted here once. Also Gould esp for Op 2/1 and Vedernikov for Op2/3 -- both do interesting things with the music. Gould especially.

I need to listen again to the FranK Op 2s. I can imagine they're very good.

[jwinter]

To all, thanks for the recs!  I think I have copies of the Schnabel and Gulda in my car, so that sounds like a winner for the ride home from work. 

[PaulSC]

While Michael Korstick's in-progress (or possibly stalled/abandoned) Beethoven cycle is not uniformly strong, he's just about perfect in the Opus 2 sonatas. The playing is precise and full of character but never forced or exaggerated. Korstick isn't talked about much, but I rather like him and wish his discography were larger.

[George]

To all, thanks for the recs!  I think I have copies of the Schnabel and Gulda in my car, so that sounds like a winner for the ride home from work. 

I bet you get home faster than usual. 

[Todd]

While Michael Korstick's in-progress (or possibly stalled/abandoned) Beethoven cycle is not uniformly strong

It's still chugging along, with volume 9 due out next month in Germany.  I've tried two discs so far and determined that I think I can wait until the complete set comes out at a lower price to hear the rest.  That written, I haven't heard his Op 2, so I may very well be missing the best stuff.

[jlaurson]

While Michael Korstick's in-progress (or possibly stalled/abandoned) Beethoven cycle is not uniformly strong, he's just about perfect in the Opus 2 sonatas. The playing is precise and full of character but never forced or exaggerated. Korstick isn't talked about much, but I rather like him and wish his discography were larger.

As mentioned, it continues to grow -- not just the Beethoven but his discography altogether.
What always throws me off is that, on pictures and in person, he looks JUST like N.Sarkozy.

In op.2 I very much like Marie Kodama. True, she probably wouldn't be recording LvB at all, if she weren't the wife of her husband, but I find it exemplary; non-fussy, simple, yet grand. For modern-piano enthusiasts, at least, a fine option.

Any opinion on Oppitz? I've not really gotten around to sampling his cycle.

[Todd]

Any opinion on Oppitz? I've not really gotten around to sampling his cycle.

Well played, swift, stern, in not so hot sound.  Not at all bad, but not a great cycle either. 

[Fred]

Really, really liked Oppitz's set.  The sound has been rightly attacked as a bit bathroomy.  But I adjusted to that fairly quickly.  I love his ability to sound spontaneous in the recording studio - a talent not many have.

I mentioned before that I really liked Stewart Goodyear's double set of the late sonatas.  In fact, I think he's about the most amazing technician I've ever heard (though he's a lot more than that).  Just noticed that Jed Distler gave him a 10/7 (though I'm not sure why he didn't like the sound).


   LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonatas Nos. 28-32
Stewart Goodyear (piano)

Marquis Classics- 81507(CD)
Reference Recording - Goode (Nonesuch); Arrau (Philips)

    rating

    Canadian pianist and composer Stewart Goodyear has been amassing quite a bit of attention lately, and deservedly so, judging from these vital, communicative, and intelligently stylish late-Beethoven performances. Swift tempos, forward sweep, linear clarity, imaginative yet never mannered inflections, and genuine joy in executing the composer's volatile dynamic markings all characterize Goodyear's interpretations.

    Op. 101's March movement and Allegro finale sound newly minted and utterly vital via Goodyear's polished fingers, while the "Hammerklavier" outer movements pretty much adhere to the composer's optimistic metronome markings. Even the slightly distant and drab engineering cannot mask Goodyear's ability to convey subtle levels of tone color and varied articulations with little help from the sustain pedal. At 15 minutes, you would assume that Goodyear is about to charge through the Adagio sostenuto, yet there's not a trace of militancy; the phrases really sing and breathe.

    The last three sonatas' final movements each benefit from Goodyear's seamless tempo relationships and long lined sustaining power. Other notable details include Op. 110's uncommonly distinct rapid left-hand figurations, and the manner in which Goodyear's finely honed dynamic shadings generate welcome note-to-note tension in the dotted rhythms of the Op. 111 first-movement introduction. In addition, a genuine and sincere spirit informs Goodyear's poetic booklet notes. An outstanding release, highly recommended.

    --Jed Distler

[Oldnslow]

I finished listening to Buchbinder's sonata set. Overall I would rate it as good, but not outstanding. Quite traditional playing, with very fine technical skills. I found the late sonatas the weakest. For whatever reason, Buchbinder seems to lack that last little extra something that sets apart the finest Beethoven players. I can't quite describe it, but as Supreme Court  Justice Potter Stewart famously said about pornography, I know it when I see it.....next up is Prof. Peter Takacs' lavish production, which just arrived. Takacs certainly gets the medal for the most beautifully produced packaging, with beautiful photos, historical notes, and essays on the sonatas. One can only hope the playing is as good as the presentation. 

[Todd]

next up is Prof. Peter Takacs' lavish production, which just arrived. Takacs certainly gets the medal for the most beautifully produced packaging, with beautiful photos, historical notes, and essays on the sonatas. One can only hope the playing is as good as the presentation.

Lavish packaging indeed.  The only more lavish set I have is the original Korean market Kun Woo Paik cycle.  Alas, its extensive notes are in Korean.  (Duh!)  I worked my way through the first five sonatas of the Takacs set last night, and without going into too much detail yet, I will say that I liked what I heard in terms of playing.  Sound is a bit reverberant for my taste, at least on the CD layer.  Hopefully sound improves for the more recent recordings in the cycle.

[Oldnslow]

Just started my listening of the Takacs Beethoven sonatas, and I think the set is going to be a pleasant surprise, if Op.2 is any indication of the overall quality. I agree with Todd about the sound--a rather distant concert hall sound, probably a lot more realistic than the mike in the piano sound of Buchbinder (and Craig Sheppard) but makes for a  kind of diffuse listening experience, especially for the left hand parts. The sound here kinda reminds me of the CD/SACD set of Robert Silverman, another fine set with rather diffuse sound. The best complete set I have heard soundwise is by Paul Lewis, though oddly enough his subsequent Diabelli Variations were  rather poorly recorded. Go figure. 

[Todd]

The sound here kinda reminds me of the CD/SACD set of Robert Silverman, another fine set with rather diffuse sound. The best complete set I have heard soundwise is by Paul Lewis

Agree with both statements completely, though I can report that the sound for Takacs is a bit less reverberant in the later recording sessions.  (If ever you want another SOTA sound cycle, Ikuyo Nakamichi's is in as good sound as Lewis', though with current exchange rates it's insanely expensive.)

[Oldnslow]

I have the Nakamichi concertos 3&5 with Paavo Jarvi on Japanese RCA, where the sound is fantastic (and the playing ain't bad either), but don't have the sonatas. How are they?

[Todd]

How are they?

They are variable.  She's better in earlier sonatas overall (Op 7 and Op 22 are both exceptional, for instance), but there are some solid late performances.  Except for hardcore collectors, I'd have to say the whole cycle is not worth the current asking price.

Incidentally, concertos 1, 2, and 4 are now available with the same forces.

[Oldnslow]

Have you seen the l,2, and 4 concertos for anything less than the $48 asking price at cdjapan? For some reason this CD is about twice the price of any of her other CDs there, including concertos 3 &5!

[Oldnslow]

By the way Todd, I have enjoyed very much the first three volumes of Igor Tchetuev's set on Caro Mitis (available through ArchivMusic at a reasonable price)--excellent playing AND sound (hybrid CD). On the Caro Mitis website there is a volume 4 that has been released (Op.7 and Tempest), but not yet available in the US according to ArkivMusic. Have you heard his playing? I think you would approve.

[Todd]

Have you seen the l,2, and 4 concertos for anything less than the $48 asking price at cdjapan? For some reason this CD is about twice the price of any of her other CDs there, including concertos 3 &5!

It's two discs, so they are charging full price.  It's just plain expensive to import from either CD Japan or HMV Japan.  That's why I haven't order yet.  There are at least three other complete or near complete cycles I've not imported due to the exchange rate – Sugitani, Shimizu, and Sonoda 2.  (Given Sugitani's somewhat lackluster concerto cycle, I am hesitant to plop down good money for her sonata cycle.)  Maybe next year.

Have you heard his playing?

Not yet, but Tchetuev is on my list of things to get.

[Kontrapunctus]

By the way Todd, I have enjoyed very much the first three volumes of Igor Tchetuev's set on Caro Mitis (available through ArchivMusic at a reasonable price)--excellent playing AND sound (hybrid CD). On the Caro Mitis website there is a volume 4 that has been released (Op.7 and Tempest), but not yet available in the US according to ArkivMusic. Have you heard his playing? I think you would approve.

Actually, volume 5 has just been released! It contains No. 5 in C minor Op. 10 No. 1, No. 10 in G major Op. 14 No. 2, and No. 22 in F major Op. 54. They could certainly use better distribution.

[Oldnslow]

Toccatta & Fugue--any idea where to source the recent Tchetuev CDs?

[Todd]

BRO's got Georges Pludermacher's cycle in stock for a mere $40.  Not at all a great cycle, and a rather gimmicky one with its four pedal Steinway, but in terms of sheer pianism, it has its charms.