LvB Op 81a (Les Adieux)

Holden · June 05, 2008, 12:20:18 AM

In my opinion, another sonata where it is hard to pin down a definitive performance. Once again, I only want ONE recommendation - and why would be helpful.

George · June 05, 2008, 02:47:53 AM

Gilels - From the DG set. Like Richter's Schubert, this reading is profound, with every note given the utmost care. The slow intro leads to a dramatic shift in dynamics and soon I realized that this is a very special interpretation. In the second movement, he is thankfully not too slow and again has a sumptuous tone. The finale brings wonderful excitement, it startled me when it began! The beauty and calm found earlier in the performance is here matched by great fire and brilliance.

Sergeant Rock · June 05, 2008, 05:05:12 AM

Quote from: George on June 05, 2008, 02:47:53 AM
Gilels - From the DG set. Like Richter's Schubert, this reading is profound, with every note given the utmost care. The slow intro leads to a dramatic shift in dynamics and soon I realized that this is a very special interpretation. In the second movement, he is thankfully not too slow and again has a sumptuous tone. The finale brings wonderful excitement, it startled me when it began! The beauty and calm found earlier in the performance is here matched by great fire and brilliance.

Gilels is my favorite too; sensitive but commanding. In fact this might be my favorite piano recording period:

The analogue recording is finer, more natural sounding than many of Gilels later digital recordings in his cycle.

Sarge

Todd · June 06, 2008, 03:01:37 PM

Serkin '77.

val · June 07, 2008, 01:11:35 AM

Rudolf Serkin with no doubt. A moment deeply inspired.

Rod Corkin · June 07, 2008, 02:34:51 AM

Quote from: Holden on June 05, 2008, 12:20:18 AM
In my opinion, another sonata where it is hard to pin down a definitive performance. Once again, I only want ONE recommendation - and why would be helpful.

The CD I play most is by Melvyn Tan, fortepiano (EMI but rereleased on Virgin). This disk also comes with excellent renditions of the Waldstein and Appassionata.

FideLeo · June 07, 2008, 03:27:48 AM

Quote from: Rod Corkin on June 07, 2008, 02:34:51 AM
The CD I play most is by Melvyn Tan, fortepiano (EMI but rereleased on Virgin). This disk also comes with excellent renditions of the Waldstein and Appassionata.

I now own the box and agree that at least this disc is very good.

Rod Corkin · June 07, 2008, 10:32:50 AM

Quote from: traverso on June 07, 2008, 03:27:48 AM
I now own the box and agree that at least this disc is very good.

Yes some of the other disks by Tan sound as if he was not interested in what he was doing. Strange man.

Bunny · June 07, 2008, 11:44:59 AM

Another vote for Serkin.

FideLeo · June 07, 2008, 02:42:21 PM

Quote from: Rod Corkin on June 07, 2008, 10:32:50 AM
Yes some of the other disks by Tan sound as if he was not interested in what he was doing. Strange man.

The disc contaiing Waldstein, Appassionata and Les Adieux was recorded live - I find virtually all
Tan's studio recording quite lifeless, so he may belong to that group of musicians who freeze
stiff when they don't have an audience in the hall.

DavidRoss · June 07, 2008, 03:48:10 PM

Kovacevich, for me, conveys the wistfulness of parting, the longing of separation, and the joy of return like no other in my modest collection. Annie Fischer's none too shabby and would probably be my runner-up.

George · June 07, 2008, 05:02:43 PM

Quote from: DavidRoss on June 07, 2008, 03:48:10 PM
Kovacevich, for me, conveys the wistfulness of parting, the longing of separation, and the joy of return like no other in my modest collection. Annie Fischer's none too shabby and would probably be my runner-up.

I definitely Kovacevich here and Fischer ties Gilels for my favorite here. (Holden only asked for one, so adhered.) Perhaps our tastes aren't that different after all?

Rod Corkin · June 08, 2008, 01:31:58 PM

Quote from: traverso on June 07, 2008, 02:42:21 PM
The disc contaiing Waldstein, Appassionata and Les Adieux was recorded live

That's news to me, I have the original EMI disk and it says nothing about it being live. It is not recorded in a studio but it is still recorded under studio conditions.

Gurn Blanston · June 08, 2008, 01:55:52 PM

Quote from: Rod Corkin on June 08, 2008, 01:31:58 PM
That's news to me, I have the original EMI disk and it says nothing about it being live. It is not recorded in a studio but it is still recorded under studio conditions.

I don't care where it was recorded, just that it's as advertised, Roddy. It is in the post to me as we speak, based on YOUR rec...

(I was always quite shy of that set, but if there IS a good one in it, I'll have that!)

----------------
Listening to:
L'Archibudelli - Bia 135 Op 8 Serenade (Trio) in D for Strings (HIP) 1st mvmt - Marcia: Allegro

Rod Corkin · June 09, 2008, 01:28:22 AM

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on June 08, 2008, 01:55:52 PM
I don't care where it was recorded, just that it's as advertised, Roddy. It is in the post to me as we speak, based on YOUR rec...

(I was always quite shy of that set, but if there IS a good one in it, I'll have that!)

Well I think the ad men got it wrong. However you will not be disappointed with that particular disk, however I'm not sure I can say the same of some of the others. I recall the disk with Op31 is something of a disaster. But his disk with the Broadwood has many good moments so I can recommend that (though he messes up some of pieces in that disk too). But I'm not sure if his Broadwood CD is in that Virgin set, or bundled with the concertos set.

Gurn Blanston · June 09, 2008, 04:19:43 AM

Quote from: Rod Corkin on June 09, 2008, 01:28:22 AM
Well I think the ad men got it wrong. However you will not be disappointed with that particular disk, however I'm not sure I can say the same of some of the others. I recall the disk with Op31 is something of a disaster. But his disk with the Broadwood has many good moments so I can recommend that (though he messes up some of pieces in that disk too). But I'm not sure if his Broadwood CD is in that Virgin set, or bundled with the concertos set.

That's OK, I have Komen and Brautigam in Op 31, so I'm good there. I don't ever expect each performance in an entire cycle to be the very best, no matter who is playing it. But I know Tan can play, I just didn't want to have to sift through the failures to find the gem.

Rod Corkin · June 09, 2008, 06:22:26 AM

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on June 09, 2008, 04:19:43 AM
That's OK, I have Komen and Brautigam in Op 31, so I'm good there. I don't ever expect each performance in an entire cycle to be the very best, no matter who is playing it. But I know Tan can play, I just didn't want to have to sift through the failures to find the gem.

I don't think much of the Tempest on Komen's cd, but his performances of the other two sonatas are as good as I have heard, maybe the best.

FideLeo · June 09, 2008, 10:48:59 AM

Quote from: Rod Corkin on June 08, 2008, 01:31:58 PM
That's news to me, I have the original EMI disk and it says nothing about it being live. It is not recorded in a studio but it is still recorded under studio conditions.

In the booklet accompanying the cheap (I got it for £1 including shipping) black Tan/Beethoven set, says so about the recording date and venue: "Great Hall, Deene Park, Northamptonshire (UK) 21-23 July 1997, live , CD5"
CD5 is the one containing the Les Adieux, Waldstein etc. in the set.

Rod Corkin · June 09, 2008, 11:37:56 AM

Quote from: traverso on June 09, 2008, 10:48:59 AM
In the booklet accompanying the cheap (I got it for £1 including shipping) black Tan/Beethoven set, says so about the recording date and venue: "Great Hall, Deene Park, Northamptonshire (UK) 21-23 July 1997, live , CD5"
CD5 is the one containing the Les Adieux, Waldstein etc. in the set.

Well it looks like the word 'live' has miraculously appeared into the equation. I've looked over the EMI booklet and CD case and there is no mention of 'live'. Certainly it never occurred to me this was a live recording. Is it likely that Tan would have performed 3 concert dates on consecutive nights at this 16th Century House in the middle of nowhere? Very much doubt it...

FideLeo · June 09, 2008, 03:09:25 PM

Quote from: Rod Corkin on June 09, 2008, 11:37:56 AM
Well it looks like the word 'live' has miraculously appeared into the equation. I've looked over the EMI booklet and CD case and there is no mention of 'live'. Certainly it never occurred to me this was a live recording. Is it likely that Tan would have performed 3 concert dates on consecutive nights at this 16th Century House in the middle of nowhere? Very much doubt it...

Is there mention in your copy to the fact that the recording was released "by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. Brundenell"? If not, maybe the word 'live' has not appeared so miraculously after all....