Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[prémont]

Nobody asked for filesharing. Nobody even asked for evidence of your possession. We just love Beethoven and we're curious.

Precisely. My interest in Brachylophosaurus' list is due to the opportunity it provides to get a better overview of the existing recordings. And of course to hear from him, which ones he in particular worships.

[Todd]

We just love Beethoven and we're curious.

My curiosity is most definitely piqued by the pianist named Dick Herten, which is a name new to me.  Alas, I could not find any information about the pianist on the internet beyond LinkedIn endorsements.  The set does not exist in physical form at any site I checked; it is not streamable on Amazon, which does list it though; it is not on Spotify.  Nothing at all shows up for Dick Herten on YouTube, which is very strange.  The cycle is, however, on Qobuz.  I streamed some short samples.  The playing is reminiscent of Alicja Kot, Giancarlo Andretti, Shisei Hanai, Vladimir Morrone, and Claudio Colombo.  I am down to buy any real complete cycle at a moment's notice.  I will not spend $50 on Dick Herten.  That name, though. 

[Todd]

Precisely. My interest in Brachylophosaurus' list is due to the opportunity it provides to get a better overview of the existing recordings. And of course to hear from him, which ones he in particular worships.

I wanted to perform a full name review against my ongoing list, so I grabbed a copy of the non-copyrighted post before it was deleted. Here's what Brachylophosaurus posted (referring to PBS as PBS II and PBS III is somewhat unusual in 2023):

I have included some rough recording dates and label name if more than one cycle...
Mono:
1.    Artur Schnabel (1932-1935)
2.    Friedrich Gulda I (Orfeo, 1953-1957)
3.    Friedrich Gulda II (Decca, 1950-1958): 11-18, 21-25, 27, 28, 30-32 are stereo
4.    Walter Gieseking: (1949-1950; 4, 5, 7 & 20: 1956) He had performed all 32 on Saarbrücken radio broadcasts but the tapes of No 4, 5, 7, 20 & 22
        didn't survive. The survivors were released on Tahra on 7 CDs but another release on Andromeda which combines 2 volumes of 4 discs and 
      supplements  the missing sonatas from tapes of 1956, except No 22.
5.    Wilhelm Backhaus I (1950-1956)
6.    Wilhelm Kempff I (1951-1956)
7.    Yves Nat (1953-1955): There is a new mastering available by Alexandre Bak - Classical Music Reference Recording

Stereo:
8.    Claudio Arrau I (Philips, 1962-1966)
9.    Claudio Arrau II (Philips, 1984-1990): He passed away before completing the set so No 14 is a 1962 and 29 a 1963 recording from the previous set
10.  Saleem Ashkar (2017-2022)
11.  Vladimir Ashkenazy (1971-1981)
12.  Wilhelm Backhaus II (Decca, 1958-1969): No 29 is a monaural recording from1952
13.  Paul Badura-Skoda II (Gramola, 1969-1970)
14.  Paul Badura-Skoda III: on fortepiano (Auvidis Astree, 1979-1989)
15.  Daniel Barenboim I (EMI, 1966-1969)
16.  Daniel Barenboim II (DG, 1981-1984)
17.  Daniel Barenboim III (Decca, 2005)
18.  Daniel Barenboim IV (DG, 2020)
19.  Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (2008-2016)
20.  Robert Benz (1988-1995)
21.  Malcolm Bilson et al: on fortepiano (1996)
        Malcolm Bilson No 1, 4, 7, 14, 17, 28 & 30;
        Tom Beghin No 2, 8, 25, 27 & 32;
        David Breitman No 3, 15, 24 & 31;
        Ursula Dütschler No 6, 10, 13 & 16;
        Zvi Meniker 11, 18, 19 & 23;
        Bart van Oort 5, 9, 21 & 26;
        Andrew Willis No 12, 20, 22 & 29
22.  Malcolm Binns: on fortepiano (1978-1979)
23.  Idil Biret (1994-2008)
24.  Jonathan Biss (2011-2019)
25.  Alfred Brendel I (VoxBox, 1958-1964)
26.  Alfred Brendel II (Philips, 1970-1977)
27.  Alfred Brendel III (Philips, 1993-1996)
28.  Rita Bouboulidi (2010)
29.  Ronald Brautigam (2003-2008)
30.  Rudolf Buchbinder I (Teldec, 1979-1982)
31.  Rudolf Buchbinder II (RCA Red Seal, 2010-2011)
32.  Rudolf Buchbinder III (DG, 2014)
33.  Muriel Chemin (2017-2021)
34.  Dino Ciani (1970)
35.  Aldo Ciccolini (1995-1999)
36.  Sequeira Costa (1998-2007)
37.  Andre De Groote (1995-1998)
38.  Eduardo del Pueyo (1976-1977)
39.  Aquiles Delle Vigne (2008-2019)
40.  Timothy Ehlen (2009-2014)
41.  Abdel Rahman El Bacha I (Forlane, 1984-1993)
42.  Abdel Rahman El Bacha II (Mirare, 2012-2013)
43.  Annie Fischer (1977-1978)
44.  Sebastian Forster (2009-2012)
45.  Claude Frank (Late 1960s, there is a 1990 remaster)
46.  Emil Gilels (1972-1986): w/o No 1, 9, 22, 24 & 32
47.  Boris Giltburg (2019-2021)
48.  Richard Goode (1986-1993)
49.  Stewart Goodyear (2010-2012)
50.  Maria Grinberg (1964-1967, there is a 2005 remaster on Melodiya)
51.  Friedrich Gulda III (Amadeo, 1968)
52.  Francois Frederic Guy (2009-2012)
53.  Eric Heidsieck (1967-1973)
54.  Dirk Herten (2019)
55.  Angela Hewitt (2005-2020)
56.  Ian Hobson (1993-1997)
57.  Michael Houstoun I (Morrison Trust, 1994-1996)
58.  Michael Houstoun II (Rattle, 2013)
59.  Jeno Jando (1989-1991)
60.  Paavali Jumppanen (2010-2012)
61.  John Kane (2016-2017)
62.  Wilhelm Kempff II (King International Japan, 1961)
63.  Wilhelm Kempff III (DG, 1964-1965)
64.  Yusuke Kikuchi (2010-2011)
65.  Gotthard Kladetzky (1998)
66.  Mari Kodama (2003-2013)
67.  Michael Korstick (1997-2008)
68.  Yu Kosuge (2011-2015)
69.  Stephen Kovacevich (1991-2003)
70.  Anton Kuerti (1974-1975)
71.  Younwha Lee (1994-2007)
72.  Christian Leotta (2005-2012)
73.  Michael Levinas (1984-1991)
74.  Igor Levit (2013-2019)
75.  Paul Lewis (2005-2007)
76.  Konstantin Lifschitz (2017-2019)
77.  John Lill (1975-1981)
78.  HJ Lim (2011): No 19 & 20 deliberately excluded
79.  Seymour Lipkin (2002-2004): also released all 32 sonatas in mp3 format on a single cd with complete sheet music in pdf in 2004
80.  Louie Lortie (1991-2010)
81.  Andrea Lucchesini (2003)
82.  Steven Masi (2012-2017)
83.  Irina Mejoueva I (Wakabayashi Kobo, 2007-2009)
84.  Irina Mejoueva II (Bijin Classical, 2020)
85.  Jean Muller (2007-2009)
86.  Ikuyo Nakamichi (2003-2006)
87.  Tatiana Nikolayeva (1984)
88.  Ichiro Nodaira (1998-2003)
89.  John O'Conor (1985-1993)
90.  Garrick Ohlsson (2006-2009)
91.  Anne Øland (1995-2002)
92.  Gerhard Oppitz (2004-2007)
93.  Kun-Woo Paik (2005-2007)
94.  Alfredo Perl (1992-1996)
95.  Daniel-Ben Pienaar (2012-2014)
96.  Georges Pludermacher (1998)
97.  Maurizio Pollini (1975-2014)
98.  Jean Bernard Pommier (1991-1998)
99.  Martin Rasch (2014-2016)
100. Robert Riefling (1965-1968)
101. Bernard Roberts I (Nimbus, 1978-1979)
102. Bernard Roberts II (Nimbus, 1984-1985)
103. Martin Roscoe (2007-2013)
104. Peter Rösel (2008-2011)
105. Akiyoshi Sako (2001)
106. Fazil Say (2018-2019)
107. Konstantin Scherbakov (2019-2020)
108. Andras Schiff (2004-2007)
109. Craig Sheppard (2003-2004)
110. Russell Sherman (1993-2007)
111. Kazune Shimizu (1995-1997)
112. Robert Silverman I (Orpheum Masters,1999)
113. Robert Silverman II (AudioHigh, 2010)
114. Steven Herbert Smith (2009-2012)
115. Minsoo Sohn (2017-2020)
116. Takahiro Sonoda I (Denon, 1968-1969)
117. Takahiro Sonoda II (Evica, 1993-1996)
118. Michael Steinberg (1981-1987)
119. Shoko Sugitani (2001-2005)
120. Peter Takacs (2011)
121. Robert Taub (1995-2007)
122. Martino Tirimo (2008-2018)
123. Daniela Varinska (2004-2008)
124. David Allen Wehr (2002-2004)
125. Gerard Willems (1995-2000)
126. Llyr Williams (2014-2017)
127. Yaeko Yamane (1994-1997)
128. Jingge Yan (2016-2019)
129. Yukio Yokoyama (1998-1999)
130. Maurizio Zaccaria (2019-2021)
131. Tatyana Zagorovskaya et al (2007):
        Vol 1:  Igor Uryash, Sergei Uryvaev
        Vol 2:  Vladimir Shakin, Tatyana Zagorovskaya,
        Vol 3:  Vladimir Shakin, Valery Vishnevsky
        Vol 4:  Valery Vishnevsky, Sergey Uryvaev, Tatyana Zagorovskaya
        Vol 5:  Dmitry Efimov, Valery Vishnevsky, Vladimir Shakin
        Vol 6:  Leonid Zaichik, Tatyana Zagorovskaya, Sergei Uryvaev
        Vol 7:  Igor Lebedev, Dmitry Efimov
        Vol 8:  Igor Lebedev, Valery Vishnevsky, Tatyana Zagorovskaya, Roman Lebedev
        Vol 9:  Pavel Egorov, Galina Sandovskaya
        Vol 10: Igor Lebedev, Tatyana Zagorovskaya
132. Dieter Zechlin (1966-1969)
133. Melodie Zhao (2012-2013)

[Mandryka]

My curiosity is most definitely piqued by the pianist named Dick Herten, which is a name new to me.  Alas, I could not find any information about the pianist on the internet beyond LinkedIn endorsements.  The set does not exist in physical form at any site I checked; it is not streamable on Amazon, which does list it though; it is not on Spotify.  Nothing at all shows up for Dick Herten on YouTube, which is very strange.  The cycle is, however, on Qobuz.  I streamed some short samples.  The playing is reminiscent of Alicja Kot, Giancarlo Andretti, Shisei Hanai, Vladimir Morrone, and Claudio Colombo.  I am down to buy any real complete cycle at a moment's notice.  I will not spend $50 on Dick Herten.  That name, though. 

Dirk Herten.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

My apologies. I've made a mistake, I won't be sharing.

I would like to hear which pianists and recordings you enjoy.   

PD

[Brian]

Just found a review of Herten:
https://limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/beethoven-complete-piano-sonatas-dirk-herten/

[Todd]

Dirk Herten.

You're right, my bad.  The Herten cycle, if that is what it is, is available on YouTube, otherwise everything else stands.  Here's a LinkedIn page for Dirk Herten, though I do not know if it is the same Dirk Herten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-herten-75483337/?originalSubdomain=be

His name appears on a couple Lekeu recordings.  Maybe those are the things to hear.

Just found a review of Herten:
https://limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/beethoven-complete-piano-sonatas-dirk-herten/

Since I bought Anne Oland's cycle (twice, actually), I'd be willing to buy Herten's cycle, provided it is legit. 

[Mandryka]

You're right, my bad.  The Herten cycle, if that is what it is, is available on YouTube, otherwise everything else stands.  Here's a LinkedIn page for Dirk Herten, though I do not know if it is the same Dirk Herten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-herten-75483337/?originalSubdomain=be

His name appears on a couple Lekeu recordings.  Maybe those are the things to hear.


Since I bought Anne Oland's cycle (twice, actually), I'd be willing to buy Herten's cycle, provided it is legit.

 

Dick was better obvs!

He's on spotify here in the UK.


https://open.spotify.com/artist/5HbvPeYCWAxpExCFlfMgb0

[San Antone]

The entire Dirk Herkin Beethoven cycle in on Spotify, and I would presume other streaming services.  Since his name shows up as an euphemism for self gratification, I wouldn't be surprised if this is another Claudio Columbo kind of pianist. 

[Todd]

The entire Dirk Herkin Beethoven cycle in on Spotify, and I would presume other streaming services.  Since his name shows up as an euphemism for self gratification, I wouldn't be surprised if this is another Claudio Columbo kind of pianist. 

He also published a complete Brahms set.  And yet he seems rather unknown.

[Todd]

I did see in Brachylophosaurus' list that Bernard Roberts is listed twice.  On the Nimbus site, mention is made of two cycles in a Penguin guide review.  I sent an email and online submission request to Wyastone to see if this is in fact the case.  If so, and if the first cycle is available, I will immediately purchase it and listen. 

Edit: The Guardian obituary mentions and Discogs lists four volumes of LPs.  They are direct to disc recordings, so live-in-studio.  I suspect Nimbus did not reissue digitally, so these will join Riefling's set as something I will have to keep an eye out for.  I will keep my turntable, last used in late 2020, just in case I stumble across these two cycles.

[prémont]

The entire Dirk Herkin Beethoven cycle in on Spotify, and I would presume other streaming services.  Since his name shows up as an euphemism for self gratification, I wouldn't be surprised if this is another Claudio Columbo kind of pianist. 

Dirk Herten, even if I understand why it is tempting to call him Herkin.

[Mandryka]

Well I'm listening to op 109 played by Dirk Herten now. There is definitely a real pianist there! One with ideas.

[Holden]

Todd, I don't know whether you'd want to collect LPs or not but there is this available

https://www.cdandlp.com/en/beethoven-robert-riefling/les-32-sonates-pour-piano-rare-12-lp-set-box-stereo-near-mint-condition/lp-box-set/r119957097/

[Todd]

Todd, I don't know whether you'd want to collect LPs or not but there is this available

https://www.cdandlp.com/en/beethoven-robert-riefling/les-32-sonates-pour-piano-rare-12-lp-set-box-stereo-near-mint-condition/lp-box-set/r119957097/

In general, I do not.  I will consider it for this cycle, though that shipping is eye watering.  (All in, it would still be about a third less than the ~$300 I paid for four different cycles from Japan.)  If the Riefling cycle is not reissued in modern format for 2027, it likely never will be.

[Todd]

I received a response from Wyastone about Bernard Roberts' first LvB sonata cycle.  It shall always and forever remain an LP only release, though after copyright expires some label may offer transfers.  Perhaps some pirated copies exist.  The text of the response is below:

Thank you for your email.

Bernard Roberts did indeed record the Beethoven complete piano sonatas for Nimbus twice. However the first recording was recorded on LP, direct to wax masters. Therefore when audio CD's were introduced we did not have any suitable masters to transfer the audio to CD format, therefore Bernard recorded the complete sonatas for a second time during various recording session at Wyastone between 1982 and 1988.

Unfortunately we no longer have any copies of the original LP's, however you maybe able to source a copy from ebay.

Please do let me know if you have any further questions.

Best Wishes

[Todd]

Spotted another new complete cycle from Japan. 

 

Probably have to get this before too long.

[prémont]

More stuff for completists:

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/dp/B07RY3VJP3/ref=sr_1_61?crid=3NDH8PK7Y51A2&keywords=beethoven+s%C3%A4mtliche+klaviersonaten&qid=1695741023&s=music&sprefix=beethoven+s%C3%A4mtliche+klaviersonaten%2Cpopular%2C70&sr=1-61

[Todd]

More stuff for completists:

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/dp/B07RY3VJP3/ref=sr_1_61?crid=3NDH8PK7Y51A2&keywords=beethoven+s%C3%A4mtliche+klaviersonaten&qid=1695741023&s=music&sprefix=beethoven+s%C3%A4mtliche+klaviersonaten%2Cpopular%2C70&sr=1-61

I spotted that a few years ago (https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2302.msg1281833.html#msg1281833).  At the time there was not much info available online, though now one can view some videos of him playing on YouTube, in all his besocked glory, extracting musical goodness from some baby grands.  It looks like his Op 106 may clock in at over an hour.  I may very well buy it, but not at the current asking price.  All indications are that this would not be a Top 100 cycle.

[kapsweiss2021]

And two more recent cycles:

James Brawn on MSR Classics. The last volume (volume 8 ) so far is this:



Other volumes have good reviews.
https://www.musicwebinternational.com/2023/05/a-beethoven-odyssey-vol-7-msr-classics/ 
I like it. James Brawn has other live albums on MSR.
With this cd there will only be two sonatas left to record, nºs 28 and 29




Massimiliano Damerini on Library. Eight Volumes




Apart from that, Damerini has five volumes of Schubert Sonatas on Arts Label.

Both cycles are on Spotify, Qobuz, Apple...
Sorry for my poor english. I am from Spain.