Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[Opus106]

What date range for the original release(s) of these cd's/lp's?  Buchbinder is new to me, but may be something I could like (if not from the 1920's or '30's).

It's not that old, Gurn. (I wouldn't be as interested in the set, if it was. ) I would guess late Seventies or perhaps from the Eighties. I remember someone in this forum mentioning that it was good and also OOP (as so often such things are). I'm surprised that his name is new to you, as he has recorded a Haydn sonata cycle, which is still in print, for the same consortium.  More recently, a set of the 32, recorded live, was released by Sony.

Currently, complete movements from the Op. 13 are being played in the background, as I browse his website: http://buchbinder.net/

Addendum: Jens' interview with the man himself, just in case you want to know him a little more.

[Gurn Blanston]

It's not that old, Gurn. (I wouldn't be as interested in the set, if it was. ) I would guess late Seventies or perhaps from the Eighties. I remember someone in this forum mentioning that it was good and also OOP (as so often such things are). I'm surprised that his name is new to you, as he has recorded a Haydn sonata cycle, which is still in print, for the same consortium.  More recently, a set of the 32, recorded live, was released by Sony.

Currently, complete movements from the Op. 13 are being played in the background, as I browse his website: http://buchbinder.net/

Thanks, Navneeth. No, his name isn't new to me, I just don't have anything by him. I've seen that Haydn set but it's not up my alley. The Beethoven might be, however. 70's or 80's are good; even something as early as the Kempff stereo cycle is good. My sense of history doesn't extend to recordings, however.

[Opus106]

My sense of history doesn't extend to recordings, however.

[Todd]

What date range for the original release(s) of these cd's/lp's?

79-81 looks like.  In any event, September 25th is not too far off, which is good, since I've not bought a new cycle in a few months. 

[DavidRoss]

What date range for the original release(s) of these cd's/lp's?  Buchbinder is new to me, but may be something I could like (if not from the 1920's or '30's).

It's a rerelease of the original set recorded in the early '80s. A solid, virtuoso, classical (i.e. non-romantically interventionist) set, my first complete cycle on CD. Also of some interest might be his more recent cycle from live performances:
[asin]B004Q8FTDK[/asin]
I haven't heard this one but will try to find some streaming files.

You might also find his Mozart concerto cycle of interest.

FYI a quick turn about google turned up this PR release re. the live set on Sony: http://www.christinajensenpr.com/rudolfs-press-releases/2012/1/31/rudolf-buchbinder-releases-live-recordings-of-all-beethoven.html
this blogpost including links to videos of live performances of all 5 LVB concertos http://www.pianostreet.com/blog/piano-news/rudolf-buchbinder-embraces-beethoven-and-the-art-of-live-performances-4662/
and discovery that Mog has the Sony set available for streaming. So far I've heard (at about 75% attention) the first movement of the Waldstein and liked what I heard.

[Gurn Blanston]

Thanks, guys. I know more already, which is never a bad thing. Like the commentary too, David. "Non-Romantically interventionist" is a real selling point for yours truly.

[DavidRoss]

"Non-Romantically interventionist" is a real selling point for yours truly.

I hope that's clear, Gurn. I meant "classically restrained, not romanticizing it and not injecting personality into it." Lang Lang he's not!

[Gurn Blanston]

I hope that's clear, Gurn. I meant "classically restrained, not romanticizing it and not injecting personality into it." Lang Lang he's not!

Clear as an azure sky of deepest summer, my Californian amigo.    0:)

[DavidRoss]

Clear as an azure sky of deepest summer, my Californian amigo.    0:)

Hey, bro, I forget your 20. I'll be in and around the hill country for a week next month. PM me if it might be convenient to meet and swap a few lies!

[Gurn Blanston]

Hey, bro, I forget your 20. I'll be in and around the hill country for a week next month. PM me if it might be convenient to meet and swap a few lies!

Sorry, David, San Francisco then, Texas now. Pity really, as a glass of wine (or 2) and a cigar would be a pleasant afternoon. 

[Fred]

There was a time when Buchbinder's seventies Beethoven CDs cost a bomb to buy (I should know).  Now they're almost giving them away.  Overall, it's an excellent set, particularly 29 to 32.

[Brian]

Anybody have thoughts on Steven Osborne's two CDs (sonatas, bagatelles)?

[Wakefield]

What date range for the original release(s) of these cd's/lp's?  Buchbinder is new to me, but may be something I could like (if not from the 1920's or '30's).

1976-1982, ADD.

[DavidRoss]

How strange....  According to the booklet published with the set I have, all of the recordings are copyrighted in '80-'82, except for op 14:1 in 1987.

[Opus106]

How strange....  According to the booklet published with the set I have, all of the recordings are copyrighted in '80-'82, except for op 14:1 in 1987.

Is that a sonatas-only set?

[DavidRoss]

Is that a sonatas-only set?

Yes, sir.

[Opus106]

Yes, sir.

So it's probable that at least some of the variations or sundry works were recorded earlier. And from what I can guess from the old cover of the Op. 120, he also recorded most, if not all, of the 'other' variations based on the waltz.

[Gurn Blanston]

Yes, sir.

This box has all the variations and bagatelles too, so probably they were recorded earlier.

I am currently making my  <>30th traversal of The 32 with Badura-Skoda. I know it's not everyone's favorite, but it sure is mine!  0:)

[DavidRoss]

I am currently making my ~30th traversal of The 32 with Badura-Skoda. I know it's not everyone's favorite, but it sure is mine!  0:)

I'd like it to be my favorite, too ... but it's long OOP and prohibitively expensive (if available) on the second-hand market.

[Gurn Blanston]

I'd like it to be my favorite, too ... but it's long OOP and prohibitively expensive (if available) on the second-hand market.

I know. It took me nearly 10 years to put it together. First rate recording companies like Astrée, which have so many superb recordings in their catalog, tend to have abysmal distribution systems and tiny press runs (so to speak). As a specialist in collecting recordings like these, I manage to get my heart broken nearly every day....