Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[prémont]

I think another thing to take into account is that, although his basic conception of the music is pretty stable, how successful he is in terms of execution is more variable. So you may have to hunt around for the recordings which show what he can do. Also his sound was more bass up, and more forceful, than the DG recordings suggest - that makes a difference too.

Also having heard Kempff play Beethoven sonatas at a recital I can say, that this actually is true. He played among other sonatas op. 57, and the drive and passion in the finale did not leave much to S. Richter, neither the Melodya nor the RCA. On the other hand he played the first movement of op. 78 in a most delicate way. I also find Kempff´s pre-war recordings of Beethoven sonatas more passionate than his later 50es and 60es studio set.

[Brian]

MusicWeb has sent me three different "Waldstein" sonatas to review this month, so I may return to one of my favorite old tricks, and enlist GMG's help in a very fast blind listening game. The game would likely include a 5-minute sample of the sonata, not the complete piece, and I will use the three new releases I'm reviewing, as well as a couple of more famous recordings for comparison.

If there is interest, I can start this in 1-2 days.

[prémont]

MusicWeb has sent me three different "Waldstein" sonatas to review this month, so I may return to one of my favorite old tricks, and enlist GMG's help in a very fast blind listening game. The game would likely include a 5-minute sample of the sonata, not the complete piece, and I will use the three new releases I'm reviewing, as well as a couple of more famous recordings for comparison.

If there is interest, I can start this in 1-2 days.

I am interested.

[amw]

sure, I can do a Waldstein. Don't know that I've ever found a wholly satisfactory one.

[Ken B]

MusicWeb has sent me three different "Waldstein" sonatas to review this month, so I may return to one of my favorite old tricks, and enlist GMG's help in a very fast blind listening game. The game would likely include a 5-minute sample of the sonata, not the complete piece, and I will use the three new releases I'm reviewing, as well as a couple of more famous recordings for comparison.

If there is interest, I can start this in 1-2 days.

I'm interested. How does it work?

[Brian]

I'm interested. How does it work?

Very soon - tomorrow night, if the Naxos rep gets back to me with the last review copy - I will post six clips from six pianists' Waldstein sonata performances. The clips will contain half of the slow movement and a sizeable chunk of the finale; depending on the pianist, they're about 6-7 minutes each. You will listen to the clips and make any comments you want. For example, you might
- rank them in order from favorite to least
- explain why you prefer certain approaches
- say what pianist you're reminded of ("This sounds like so-and-so")
Three of the recordings will be brand-new releases and three are standards recorded over the past 40 years.

Although I removed the actual sound files, you can see how the game goes with this old example.

[Ken B]

Very soon - tomorrow night, if the Naxos rep gets back to me with the last review copy - I will post six clips from six pianists' Waldstein sonata performances. The clips will contain half of the slow movement and a sizeable chunk of the finale; depending on the pianist, they're about 6-7 minutes each. You will listen to the clips and make any comments you want. For example, you might
- rank them in order from favorite to least
- explain why you prefer certain approaches
- say what pianist you're reminded of ("This sounds like so-and-so")
Three of the recordings will be brand-new releases and three are standards recorded over the past 40 years.

Although I removed the actual sound files, you can see how the game goes with this old example.

Sounds good but I have an ipad, so I could not read the Brahms files.

[Brian]

Sounds good but I have an ipad, so I could not read the Brahms files.

I do MP3s.

[Mandryka]

Yes, Michelangeli is indeed exceptional in these late recordings. It is always a little difficult to appreciate any other version after having listened to him.

You're very welcome about Grinberg ! I know both versions of op. 13 by Grinberg (both very good) but only the stereo version of 53. The FLAC would be a greatly appreciated gift

Sokolov in Verona, march 1991 :



(also in the Naive complete Sokolov recordings set)

I'll PM you with the Grinberg LP.

I have that ear;y Sokolov CD == I'd completely forgotten about it. Senior moment. Did you hear him play op 106 last year? It used to be on youtube with terrible sound, and I went to a concert he gave in Lyon. I loved it, not at all fast and furious, but I think that's a good thing. I have a ticket to see him in Toulouse in May this year, I have no idea what he will play but I'm hoping it will include Chopin's 3rd sonata.

ABM had a heart attack after those Bregenz concerts in 1988, I'm sure it impacted his piano playing. But I think the recordings from 1988 show him embarking on a swan song, profounder than anything he did earlier. I saw him play op 111 in the Barbican in London in 1990.

[Wanderer]

MusicWeb has sent me three different "Waldstein" sonatas to review this month, so I may return to one of my favorite old tricks, and enlist GMG's help in a very fast blind listening game. The game would likely include a 5-minute sample of the sonata, not the complete piece, and I will use the three new releases I'm reviewing, as well as a couple of more famous recordings for comparison.

If there is interest, I can start this in 1-2 days.

I'd be interested in that.

[Cosi bel do]

I'll PM you with the Grinberg LP.

I have that ear;y Sokolov CD == I'd completely forgotten about it. Senior moment. Did you hear him play op 106 last year? It used to be on youtube with terrible sound, and I went to a concert he gave in Lyon. I loved it, not at all fast and furious, but I think that's a good thing. I have a ticket to see him in Toulouse in May this year, I have no idea what he will play but I'm hoping it will include Chopin's 3rd sonata.

ABM had a heart attack after those Bregenz concerts in 1988, I'm sure it impacted his piano playing. But I think the recordings from 1988 show him embarking on a swan song, profounder than anything he did earlier. I saw him play op 111 in the Barbican in London in 1990.

Having heard ABM play the op. 111 must certainly be a great memory.
I couldn't hear Sokolov last year, and he canceled in Paris this year... His program until summer does include Chopin sonata no. 3. I might try to get tickets for one or other performance.

[kishnevi]

The problem with these sonatas is that they also are among the less recorded sonatas, it limits the possibility of a comparison (just think : no Richter, no Serkin, ni Gilels (in op. 78)...  Otherwise this would have been a fine idea.
Now that I think, this is also a problem with op. 22 (no Gilels). Well, maybe op. 26 then...

I possibly misunderstood your original intent, but I'll suggest it as a possible further refinement:  confine the comparison to those who have done complete cycles  (or near complete, which will allow Gilels to have his chance).  As Todd can verify, there are not a few pianists who have done so, and some not well known at all. 

If you are thinking in terms of a "Big Name Death Match" then a "big name" sonata would be essential, I agree, since some Big Name Pianists only did the Big Name Sonatas.

[Cosi bel do]

I possibly misunderstood your original intent, but I'll suggest it as a possible further refinement:  confine the comparison to those who have done complete cycles  (or near complete, which will allow Gilels to have his chance).  As Todd can verify, there are not a few pianists who have done so, and some not well known at all. 

If you are thinking in terms of a "Big Name Death Match" then a "big name" sonata would be essential, I agree, since some Big Name Pianists only did the Big Name Sonatas.

Well, I want to avoid the "big name sonatas", but I'd like to avoid sonatas that haven't been recorded by too many pianists. And after all, limiting the comparison to pianists who have done complete cycles would be unfaire, it would mean no Richter, no Serkin... And all complete cycles are not good, frankly I don't think Louis Lortie or Idil Biret must be in the comparison in any case (doesn't mean they won't, but I'll listen and do preselections as usual).

[Ken B]

Anyone know Anne Oland's set? I read a bad bad bad review. I have her Nielsen and it's fine.

[Pat B]

I'd say the biggest names in Beethoven semi-cycles are Gilels, Richter, and Serkin. If you want all 3, then your choices are:
6,8,11,12,23,28,29,30,31

Oh, I should have included Pollini. Turns out, he has recorded all of those already.

Any of those except 11 and 28 will also get you Gould.

[Todd]

Anyone know Anne Oland's set?

It's awful.

[Sergeant Rock]

It's awful.

A fair amateur, would you say?   

Sarge

[North Star]

Anyone know Anne Oland's set? I read a bad bad bad review. I have her Nielsen and it's fine.

Search her on Youtube if you dare! 

[aquablob]

I got curious and went ahead and searched for "Anne Øland Beethoven" on youtube. First one that popped up was Op. 10/1, so I clicked:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD5HcCdMYaA

BANG!!! bda, bda, bda, bda, bda, dah dah, dah BANG!!!

And then at 0:19,

BANG!!! bda, bda, bda, BANG!!! BANG!!! bda, bda, bda, BANG!!! BANG!!!

I didn't think the whole thing was all bad, but jeeeez, chill out! This ain't Op. 13!

[North Star]

I got curious and went ahead and searched for "Anne Øland Beethoven" on youtube. First one that popped up was Op. 10/1, so I clicked:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD5HcCdMYaA

BANG!!! bda, bda, bda, bda, bda, dah dah, dah BANG!!!

And then at 0:19,

BANG!!! bda, bda, bda, BANG!!! BANG!!! bda, bda, bda, BANG!!! BANG!!!

I didn't think the whole thing was all bad, but jeeeez, chill out! This ain't Op. 13!

Indeed! This, on the other hand, is pathétique indeed.