Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[George]

The single disc of Opp 31 and 49 doesn't hit US shores until January, so I will be waiting a few weeks.  The new 31/2 is the one used in the set, and I would think that where multiple recordings exist, the later recording will be used.  The twofer that had studio and live recordings of Opp 57 and 78 poses an interesting choice for DG and Pollini, though.  Since I have all the single discs except the new one, I won't have to choose.

They would be fools not to include the live performances. Those were excellent.

[Oldnslow]

In the  Pollini complete set, Opus 26 and 53 are live performances, the rest studio. After listening halfway through it is very impressive--a lot like Gulda in terms of tempo/technique, which is just fine by me.

[George]

In the  Pollini complete set, Opus 26 and 53 are live performances, the rest studio. After listening halfway through it is very impressive--a lot like Gulda in terms of tempo/technique, which is just fine by me.

Interesing. So they left the studio ones out or included both?

[Todd]

Interesing. So they left the studio ones out or included both?

It's eight discs, so they would have had to leave them out.

[J.A.W.]

The DG site has the complete listing with audio tracks, but it doesn't say anything about live/studio: http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/cat/4794120

[Oldnslow]

The Pollini set has no double performances--just the 32 played once

[Wanderer]

In the  Pollini complete set, Opus 26 and 53 are live performances.

A wise move. That release was fantastic. They should have included the live op.22 as well, a better rendition than the studio one (which is still good).

[Holden]

So, is Pollini going to set a new benchmark and be rated along with Annie Fischer as producing one of the great LvB cycles? I've only heard the last 5 which is superb and the live Waldstein. I'm listening to Op 2/2 as I write this post and it's very good.

[Todd]

So, is Pollini going to set a new benchmark and be rated along with Annie Fischer as producing one of the great LvB cycles?

Not for me.  His Beethoven certainly can be among the best, but not always.

[Oldnslow]

The Tchetuev redordings (6 volumes so far) are very fine. Unfortunately, he hasn't released another volume for a long time, and I fear perhaps Caro Mitis went under.....

[jlaurson]

Beethoven Sonatas - A Survey of Complete Cycles
Part 9, 2014 - onward


New section of the Beethoven Sonata Survey started: No.9 with Timothy Ehlen ("heaven sent taboos", indeed!  ), Maurizio Pollini, and Christian Leotta.

Also updated Part 8: Part 8: 2010 - 2013, since El Bacha has recorded a second set and Guy and Kodama have since had the complete sets published.

On the radar, but not included because either not yet complete or not yet published or because I've been remiss:

Jumppanen
Bavouzet
Russian Collective
Costa
Colombo
Uchida
Hewitt
Tchetuev
Biss
Kikuchi
Sakiya
Varinska
Roscoe
Mejoueva
Leotta
Yamane
Brawn
Tengstrand
Bouboulidi
Kolesnitschenko / Mursky
Tengstrand


It's a never ending project and must still contain many lacunae... so more information and corrections are always common. (Just don't be snide about it, when making them.)

[Mandryka]

Beethoven was very clear that a metronome marking was supposed to apply only to the opening bars of a work, and that the tempo should change with the character of the music (though subtly enough that it could only be detected by the most sophisticated ear, or something). Korstick's playing of 106/i is exemplary as to the way everyone should be doing it, but unfortunately he's not quite good enough to pull it off—technically it's perfect, the character of the movement comes through in the best possible way, but musically he doesn't emphasize the right notes (listen to the very opening where he doesn't bring out the motive in the 5th finger of the right hand for instance) or allow the phrases to breathe. Compared to what e.g. Richter or Serkin might have been able to do with this movement at this tempo, it's a bit prosaic. But for whatever reason the greatest pianists don't seem to want to take the time to learn the Hammerklavier at tempo, or aren't able to, or something. I'm not sure.

For 106/i it's hard to recommend anyone faster than Gulda (9:27), Goodyear if you can tolerate bad sound. Gulda plays slower on average but still does come up to the Schnabel tempo on occasions. A similar recommendation can be made for Michaël Lévinas (9:30)—who unlike Gulda establishes the tempo at the beginning, but then slows down more significantly. Rosen 1965 (10:17) is exemplary in how to play the Hammerklavier more slowly while still conveying the character of the music. Others in the 9:50-10:00 range are also recommendable e.g. PBS (on a Graf 1824), Michael Leslie (bad sound again) or Mélodie Zhao. I generally don't see a good reason to listen to 106/is exceeding 10:45 ish—doesn't seem like there's much anyone can bring to the slow Hammerklavier that hasn't already been brought by Pollini or Gilels.

There's a Gieseking recital from 1949 on Music & Arts and now a complete cycle being assembled—not sure if those are two different versions. I wouldn't recommend either one by the way.

One fast one (in i) which I stumbled across on spotify and which is nice and playful is by Eugene Albulescu. It's on spotify. I'm strating to come round to the view that what's needed in this very problematic music  is moving forward, momentum, unstoppableness and light, witty. Fast may be the only way to do it.

[Fred]

Thanks for the tip. Have been listening to Albulescu.  Loving it. Makes me ponder, once again, why some people have big careers and others dwell in obscurity. It may well be a matter of choice. But it never seems to have much to do with talent.
P.S.  Shouldn't have jumped the gun with geniusas.  He doesn't play the repeat.  Very disappointed.

[amw]

Spotted this at the checkout while buying some stuff from their Christmas sale:


http://www.marbecks.co.nz/detail/536315/Complete-Piano-Sonatas-14-CDs-plus-Book-The

Houstoun's Beethoven reCycle received a fair amount of hype around Auckland last year, though I didn't attend any of the concerts. These are new recordings, not reissues of the Trust Records cycle. Maybe some of our insane collectors will be interested.

[Holden]

I've heard the Trust cycle and it is excellent. I wonder what new insights Houstoun will have to offer. 14 CDs for an LvB cycle is OTT. Is there anywhere we can sample these recordings?

[amw]

Rattle has put the first two CDs (op. 10/3, 27/1, 14/1, 26 and 53) up on Qobuz. I'm not seeing anything on Spotify or NML yet, though the label does distribute to both.

[Todd]

I'd still like the Trust cycle, but it is dear right now, so this new one looks mighty tempting and acceptably priced.

[Mandryka]

Another impressive one from Levy, op28. This time he shows a comedic playful side, quite surprising and very appropriate IMO. Starts at about 25 minutes on this youtube

http://www.youtube.com/v/5jhtuFb56Vo

Very erotic pic of Leda and the swan there.

[Fred]

I notice that the new Houston set (or at least a number of them) can be downloaded for about $6 US each from this site.  The PDF program notes (very comprehensive) are free

http://vup.victoria.ac.nz/beethoven-piano-sonatas-24bit-flac-programme-2/

[Fred]

Michael Houstoun interviewed over several hours about the beethoven sonatas

http://www.radionz.co.nz/concert/programmes/beethovenrecycle