Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[George]

So-so to Meh.

Thanks. Did you review the mono or stereo set?

[Todd]

Thanks. Did you review the mono or stereo set?

As far as I am aware, she only recorded one cycle. 

[springrite]

I have heard some from the Olympia set and they are methodical, rather good but nothing memorable. Not a keeper, in other words.

[Coopmv]

Any thoughts about this new box?

After my first listen to her Chopin Nocturnes a few months ago, I still have not quite developed an impression of her yet ...

[Mandryka]

I think it's not quite right to say that Grinberg's Beethoven is methodical. I think it's full of original ideas in fact, at the micro- and macro- level. You  may think that her interpretations don't do what you should do with the music. You may not respond to how she plays. You may want better recorded sound or a less soviet piano. You may want a more romantic, or even a more spiritual, less objective, or less physical, style.  But that's a different matter.

I suggest that anyone curious just listens to a cd -- maybe Op 111, which is as radical interpretation of that marronnier as you'll ever find -- and sees whether he feels inclined to explore further. My own view is that she has important things to say with  some of the sonatas -- new things, and sometimes things you may be surprised  to hear.

[Mandryka]

The Cziffra [performance of the Waldstein]  is the reverse. The first movement, like the Argerich, doesn't seem to be going anywhere. It's fast but it's also like it's jogging on the spot.

In the studio Waldstein the problem disappears. It's interesting how much the studio is superior to the live. The studio is an outstanding performance.

[Holden]

In the studio Waldstein the problem disappears. It's interesting how much the studio is superior to the live. The studio is an outstanding performance.

This the live?



Where would I find the studio?

[George]

This the live?



Where would I find the studio?

Here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ay6xcg6gn06lb 

It's under EMI 3.

[Mandryka]

The Appassionata there is maybe even more impressive

[Holden]

Here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ay6xcg6gn06lb 

It's under EMI 3.

Is this part of the 40 CD set George?

[George]

Is this part of the 40 CD set George?

Yes.

[Mandryka]

I do hope you tried some of the Grinberg, George. I'm getting interested again in her late Beethoven. The last three sonatas -- especially 110 and 111 -- are played without the slightest hint of comfort; without any suggestion of transcendence. The vision is unerringly tragic. As far as I know this is unique and, to my ears, is absolutely right for the times we live in. Her Beethoven is modern.

Op109 stands apart from the last two in being happy. There is an intense ecstatic joyfulness at the end which, once again, seems to make the performance stand out from others I know.

By the way, op 53 is not a high point of her big Beethoven cycle, but she had recorded it earlier and that one is much much better. Never on CD, it's been transferred by an amateur and it's been uploaded to musique ouverte. The whole thing is good, the last movement particularly so. 

Totally randomly, listening to that Op 53 made me cast around a  bit and I put Elly Ney's late one on again. If you don't know that one you are missing something very special.

[George]

Totally randomly, listening to that Op 53 made me cast around a  bit and I put Elly Ney's late one on again. If you don't know that one you are missing something very special.

Where is it available? I have three of her CDs and none of them have it.

[Mandryka]

Where is it available? I have three of her CDs and none of them have it.

In the 12 CD box of post war records on Colesseum, which is worth having. It used to be very cheap, and used to be available from Russian pirate ships

[Lethevich]

Has anyone here heard this?

[asin]B000005EBT[/asin]
Is it good? Has it ever been reissued in some form? It's totally unavailable on Amazon UK marketplace.

[Brian]

Has anyone here heard this?

[asin]B000005EBT[/asin]
Is it good? Has it ever been reissued in some form? It's totally unavailable on Amazon UK marketplace.

Amazon USA has a copy, but when you click through to view it, it turns out the copy is a CD with Radu Lupu. Way to go, Amazon tagging. 

[Lethevich]

Amazon USA has a copy, but when you click through to view it, it turns out the copy is a CD with Radu Lupu. Way to go, Amazon tagging. 

I once bought a book from Amazon listed as being on Anselm Kiefer and ended up with a children's picture book of ocean liners in cutaway sections, due to another such conflict. It was a cool picture book, though, I can't grumble.

[Mandryka]

Has anyone here heard this?

[asin]B000005EBT[/asin]
Is it good? Has it ever been reissued in some form? It's totally unavailable on Amazon UK marketplace.

Yes it's good. Sometimes more than good -- in the third movement of Op 53 for example.  Someone once put a copy of it on symphonyshare.

[Lethevich]

Danke I will keep an eye out.

[Gurn Blanston]

Has anyone here heard this?

[asin]B000005EBT[/asin]
Is it good? Has it ever been reissued in some form? It's totally unavailable on Amazon UK marketplace.

I got it for $3 in the bargain bin at a local shop back when such things existed. I am very fond of it, but fair warning; one must love the sound of a fortepiano to really enjoy this, as his instrument (an early Erard, IIRC) is not a reproduction, and (ala Beethoven) he makes it rattle from time to time. Definitely a hit in MY book.