Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[xochitl]

Both Annie Fischer and Wilhelm Backhaus (the stereo set, at least) recorded their Beethoven sonata sets on a Bosendorfer.

huh...well that makes sense

[DavidRoss]

huh...well that makes sense

Why is that, if you don't mind my asking?

[xochitl]

Why is that, if you don't mind my asking?

i love the sound they make, and fischer's is my fave cycle probably

theres something about the way beethoven sounds on steinways that just rubs me the wrong way.  too smooth/pretty/[evenly-voiced?].  the bass doesnt rip and rattle, the middle all blends in, and the highs are too crystalline.  actually, now that i think about it:  i just dont like the sound of the steinway, unless it's post-romantic music

[George]

i love the sound they make, and fischer's is my fave cycle probably

theres something about the way beethoven sounds on steinways that just rubs me the wrong way.  too smooth/pretty/[evenly-voiced?].  the bass doesnt rip and rattle, the middle all blends in, and the highs are too crystalline.  actually, now that i think about it:  i just dont like the sound of the steinway, unless it's post-romantic music

I just read on Wiki that Richter has recorded using a Bosendorfer. His RCA Salzburg WTC was recorded on one.

[Opus106]

I think Schiff does (did) too.

[Todd]

I think Schiff does (did) too.

He alternated between Bosendorfers and Steinways, depending on the work. 

A few other pianists used Bosendorfers.  Paul Badura Skoda used one for his Gramola cycle.  Robert Silverman used a special recording/playback one for his cycle.  I'm thinking one or two others may have, but I can't recall off the top of my head.

[Opus106]

He alternated between Bosendorfers and Steinways, depending on the work. 

Oh, that's interesting. I didn't know that.

[Mandryka]

Takacs uses one doesn't he? I don't have the booklet but it sounds like one.

[Todd]

Takacs uses one doesn't he? I don't have the booklet but it sounds like one.

Yes, he does.  I'm still thinking there may be one or two more others who did, though I can't recall all of the intruments used in all the recordings I've heard. 

I do recall distinctly that Pludermacher uses a modified Steinway with a fourth pedal, and Gerard Willems uses a Stuart & Sons, for those who want different instruments.

[Brian]

for those who want different instruments.

What, you're not gonna mention HJ Lim's Yamaha?

Arguably the worst instrument ever used in a cycle.

[Todd]

Arguably the worst instrument ever used in a cycle.

I don't blame the Yamaha.

[Brian]

I don't blame the Yamaha.

Feel free to blame the Yamaha (partially). She hand-picked it.

[George]

What, you're not gonna mention HJ Lim's Yamaha?

Arguably the worst instrument ever used in a cycle.

That would be her fingers.

[PaulSC]

I believe Arthur Schnabel recorded the sonatas on a Bechstein, and I assume Angela Hewitt's Beethoven discs (is she aiming for a complete cycle?) are played on her usual Fazioli.

[DavidRoss]

Yamaha owns Bösendorfer. They also make pretty good motorcycles.

I assume Angela Hewitt's Beethoven discs (is she aiming for a complete cycle?) are played on her usual Fazioli.

[Opus106]

I'm afraid it's time to splurge... again.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/s/Angela%2BHewitt%2BBeethoven

[kishnevi]

I'm afraid it's time to splurge... again.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/s/Angela%2BHewitt%2BBeethoven

That listing doesn't include the 2 CDs of cello sonatas recorded with Daniel Muller-Schott (the Presto query comes up with two false positives as well as their recording of the Bach viola da gamba sonatas

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/search.php?searchString=Hewitt+Cello+Sonatas

As to the main entry--I say that Hewitt's Beethoven is like her Schumann--worth hearing--but not sure if it's actually worth purchasing.

[DavidRoss]

I'm afraid it's time to splurge... again.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/s/Angela%2BHewitt%2BBeethoven

Oh, yes, I know she's recording Beethoven, and doing a pretty good job of it, too. I just didn't know that she usually records on a Fazoli--thought that was a unique situation for her second WTC on record.

[Opus106]

That listing doesn't include the 2 CDs of cello sonatas recorded with Daniel Muller-Schott (the Presto query comes up with two false positives as well as their recording of the Bach viola da gamba sonatas

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/search.php?searchString=Hewitt+Cello+Sonatas

Well, this being a thread about Beethoven's piano sonatas, I didn't see the relevance. In any case, here they are: http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/search.php?searchString=hewitt+schott+beethoven

[Opus106]

Oh, yes, I know she's recording Beethoven, and doing a pretty good job of it, too. I just didn't know that she usually records on a Fazoli--thought that was a unique situation for her second WTC on record.

Ah. She describes how this model/make helps in her interpretation (at least in Vol.1) in the notes.