Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[prémont]

In Todd's case "somewhat arrogant" is an understatement. He had nothing but haughty disdain for whoever dared to contradict him, whether about music or politics, and expressed it in no uncertain terms.

As for his reviews, I beg to differ from the majoritarian opinion. They are rather verbose and many of them use pleonastic or contradictory terms and statements.

In principle I agree with most of this. However, I often find Todd's LvB piano sonata reviews entertaining in their detailled verbose opulence. Maybe because I know the music and very often the recordings in question very well.

[prémont]

As if the judgement of someone who has been well formed and who is thoughtful and mature by nature is more authoritative.

Maybe it's possible to find a better word than
"authoritative", but generally I listen more to what e.g. Alfred Brendel utters about LvB's piano sonatas than what Todd writes. On the other hand I'm sometimes surprised of the recordings some well-reputed musicians choose as their favorite recordings.

[Florestan]

In principle I agree with most of this. However, I often find Todd's LvB piano sonata reviews entertaining in their detailled verbose opulence. Maybe because I know the music and very often the recordings in question very well.

Yes, they can be fun reading for a while.

Anyway, I hope he's fine. He's taken breaks in the past but IIRC none that long as the current one.

[prémont]

If you don't agree with Todd - fine.  Create your own thread with your own ranking of hundreds of recordings.

There is no sense in ranking hundreds of recordings of the same music, and Todd's ranking is essentially futile.

[Brian]

There seems to be a split in opinion on his writing style based on English as first or acquired language.

@JBS - I don't know if the same Minsoo Sohn composed those soundtracks but I will choose to believe it is the same artist, because that is funnier!

[Todd]

For me, I just viewed it all in good fun

Correct.

They are not judged by closeness to an imagined ideal, but by the artist's success achieving a specific vision (and, yes, persuading Todd of that vision).

Correct.

but don't place much importance on it beyond what I just wrote.

Wise.

There seems to be a split in opinion on his writing style based on English as first or acquired language.

I speak and write in idiomatic American English.  Not everyone will understand.  That is fine.


I have four listening projects underway right now.  If I complete any or all of them, then



Let's see how many people get the obvious reference.  In the meantime, keep spelling my name properly, and rest assured that it is entirely unweird to kvetch about a person not present for months.

[JBS]

but Annie Fischer makes the music work for me.

When all is said and done, that's the only important thing. And it will be different for every person.

[Brian]

Some of y'all forgot that if you say a demon's name three times you summon it 

[Florestan]

    

[Madiel]

The gap is almost 9 months. Rebirth.

[DavidW]

Welcome back, Todd.

[JBS]

But did he read our speculations about time and space (and I hope had a good laugh at them)?

[AnotherSpin]

Oh, Todd was already close to being deified, and now he suddenly appeared among us mortals in the image of General MacArthur, complete with a tasteless pipe... hmm. I must say, I'm kind of disappointed.

[JBS]

Oh, Todd was already close to being deified, and now he suddenly appeared among us mortals in the image of General MacArthur, complete with a tasteless pipe... hmm. I must say, I'm kind of disappointed.

He was referring to MacArthur's most famous quote.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur%27s_escape_from_the_Philippines

[prémont]

He was referring to MacArthur's most famous quote.

"I shall return", obviously.

[hopefullytrusting]

Some of y'all need to touch grass with the amount of projection I am seeing.

To bring this topic back on track, I think Tamami Honma's might be the newest completed set (2024) of complete Beethoven sonatas (I always use 30/109 as my barometer for a set, specifically movement 3):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar-lpeqvI18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVJr0oq2q7A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_-GJM_haPg

[George]

From my initial post:

Originally, I had the idea of starting a thread about creating a new box set of Beethoven's 32 sonatas by 32 different pianists.

I posted a list of my favorites in each (below) and tried to whittle it down unsuccessfully.

I decided it was too narrow a topic, so I have changed the topic to simply be "Beethoven's 32 Sonatas" so that we can have a thread to discuss anything in regards to these incredible works. Feel free to post reviews, your favorites, questions, etc. 


 Early

1. Op 2/1 – Fischer/Schnabel --- Gulda, Kovacevich, Backhaus, Barenboim, Nat, Serkin

2. Op 2/2 – Fischer/Schnabel/Hungerford – Casadesus, Gulda, Gilels, Barenboim, Backhaus, Nat

3. Op 2/3 – Gulda – Gilels, Kempff(m), Backhaus, Barenboim, Solomon(Pearl) Kovacevich, Solomon, Nat

4. Op 7 – Richter – Barenboim, Nat, Gulda, Kempff(m), Hungerford, Gilels, Backhaus, Goode

5. Op 10/1 – Kovacevich – Fischer, Gulda, Gilels, Hungerford, Nat, Yudina, Kempff(m), Backhaus

6. Op 10/2 – Kovacevich – Fischer, Backhaus, Hungerford, Gulda, Schnabel, Serkin, Kempff (m)

7. Op 10/3 – Schnabel – Kovacevich, Gilels, Fischer, Richter, Kempff(m)/Backhaus /Gulda

8. "Pathetique"  Moravec–Serkin(m), Serkin(st),  Fischer,  Gilels,  Nat, Kovacevich, Gulda, Backhaus, Schnabel

9. Op 14/1 – Gulda – Fischer,  Backhaus,  Gieseking,  Kovacevich,  Schnabel

10. Op 14/2 – Barenboim – Richter,  Gulda,  Backhaus,  Kempff(m),  Goode

11. Op 22 – Barenboim – Gulda, Serkin, Gilels, Kempff(m), Richter, Nat, Backhaus

12. Op 26 – Richter – Barenboim, Yudina, Gilels,  Gulda,  Goode,  Backhaus, Nat

13. Op 27/1 – Fischer – Gilels, Gulda, Solomon, Schnabel, Hungerford, Serkin

14. Op 27/2 – "Moonlight" Lupu/Fischer/Roberts – Gilels/Rubinstein/Serkin(m),  Moravec, Gulda, Serkin (st), Solomon, Hungerford, Backhaus, Nat

15. Op 28 – "Pastoral"  Kovacevich – Gulda,  Kempff(st),  Schnabel


   
Middle Period Sonatas

16. Op 31/1 – Fischer – Gulda,  Kempff(m),  Gilels,  Goode,  Yudina, Roberts, Backhaus, Nat

17. Op 31/2 – "Tempest"   Fischer – Richter,  Gilels,  Gulda,  Schnabel,  Nat, Goode,  Backhaus,  Roberts,  Haskil

18. Op 31/3 – Fischer – Goode,  Kovacevich(gpotc),  Kempff(m),  Backhaus,  Haskil

19. Op 49/1 – Gulda – Richter,  Hungerford,  Fischer,  Schnabel,  Barenboim 

20. Op 49/2 – Gulda – Schnabel,  Hungerford,  Kempff(m),  Goode,  O'Conor,  Backhaus, Nat

21. Op 53 – "Waldstein" Serkin (m) - Fischer/Gilels, Horowitz, Schnabel, Backhaus, Nat, Gieseking,  Kempff(m)

22. Op 54 – Fischer – Richter, Solomon, Kempff(m), Yudina

23. Op 57 – "Appassionata" Fischer – Arrau/Richter, Roberts, Goode, Horowitz, Serkin(m), Nat, Kempff(m)

24. Op 78 – Barenboim/Kempff(m)/Serkin(m) – Schnabel, O'Conor

25. Op 79 – Goode/Kempff(m) – Schnabel,  Gilels,  Barenboim,  Gulda

26. Op 81a – "Les Adieux" Gilels/Fischer – Barenboim/Moravec/Serkin (m), Roberts, Rubinstein, Schnabel, Kovacevich



Late Sonatas

27. Op 90 – Fischer – Barenboim/Kempff(m)/Gilels,  Gulda,  Richter, Backhaus, Yudina

28. Op 101 – Fischer – Kempff(st),  Pollini,  Yudina, Gilels,  Barenboim   

29. "Hammerklavier"   Pollini – Gulda, Fischer, Solomon, Serkin, Yudina, Barenboim, Nat, Backhaus, Kempff(m), Gilels

30. Op 109 – Fischer/Pollini/Serkin(m) – Gulda, Schnabel, Barenboim, Richter, Backhaus, Serkin(st), Gilels, Nat, Kempff(m)

31. Op 110 – Serkin(st,1960) - Fischer/Kempff(st)/Gilels/Roberts , Pollini,  Nat, Schnabel,  Barenboim,  Richter,  Backhaus, Hungerford

32. Op 111 – Yudina(studio) - Fischer/Kempff(st)/Gulda,  Pollini/Barenboim/Richter/Schnabel/Serkin(st), Nat, Backhaus, Hungerford
 

I am not sure why some are referring to this as "Todd's Thread," as I was the one who started it, way back in July 2007. This may be a small point to some, but to me, creating a thread that makes it to 256 pages and is still going on 18 years later, in a civil manner no less, is something I feel good about.   

[prémont]

I am not sure why some are referring to this as "Todd's Thread," as I was the one who started it, way back in July 2007. This may be a small point to some, but to me, creating a thread that makes it to 256 pages and is still going on 18 years later, in a civil manner no less, is something I feel good about.   

I have always thought of this thread as being your thread. Todd's threads are the new threads he creates for each pianist he reviews.

[Brian]

From my initial post:

I am not sure why some are referring to this as "Todd's Thread," as I was the one who started it, way back in July 2007. This may be a small point to some, but to me, creating a thread that makes it to 256 pages and is still going on 18 years later, in a civil manner no less, is something I feel good about.   

Well now you have to update that original list!!   

[George]

George's updated list of favorite LvB sonata recordings

Most are taken from the pianist's complete set, unless otherwise noted
Gulda = Amadeo/Brilliant
Fischer = Annie Fischer

Early

1. Op 2/1 – Fischer/Schnabel - Gulda, Lucchesini, Backhaus(st/m), Nat, Serkin, Richter (Live Moscow, 1979)

2. Op 2/2 – Fischer/Schnabel/Hungerford – Casadesus, Gulda, Lucchesini, Gilels, Backhaus(m), Nat, Kempff(m)

3. Op 2/3 – Lucchesini/Gulda – Backhaus(m), Gilels, Kempff(m), Backhaus(st), Solomon(Pearl), Solomon, Nat

4. Op 7 – Lucchesini/Richter - Nat, Gulda, Kempff(m), Hungerford, Backhaus(m), Gilels, Backhaus(st)

5. Op 10/1 – Fischer - Gulda, Lucchesini, Gilels, Hungerford, Nat, Yudina, Kempff(m), Backhaus (m), Backhaus(st)

6. Op 10/2 - Lucchesini/Fischer - Backhaus(m), Backhaus(st), Hungerford, Gulda, Schnabel, Serkin, Kempff(m)

7. Op 10/3 – Lucchesini/Schnabel – Gilels, Fischer, Richter, Backhaus(m), Kempff(m), Backhaus(st), Gulda, Solomon

8. Op 13 - "Pathetique" -  Moravec – Richter(Melodiya), Serkin(m), Serkin(st), Lucchesini, Fischer, Gilels, Nat, Gulda, Backhaus(m), Backhaus(st), Schnabel

9. Op 14/1 – Lucchesini/Gulda – Fischer,  Backhaus(m), Backhaus(st),  Gieseking, Schnabel

10. Op 14/2 – Lucchesini/Richter - Gulda, Backhaus(m), Backhaus(st), Kempff(m)

11. Op 22 – Lucchesini/Gulda - Serkin, Gilels, Kempff(m), Richter, Nat, Backhaus(m), Backhaus(st)

12. Op 26 – Lucchesini/Richter – Yudina, Gilels,  Gulda, Backhaus(st), Nat

13. Op 27/1 – Lucchesini/Fischer – Gilels, Gulda, Solomon, Schnabel, Hungerford, Serkin

14. Op 27/2 – "Moonlight" Lupu/Fischer – Lucchesini, Gilels/Rubinstein/Serkin(m),  Moravec, Gulda, Friedman, Serkin (st), Solomon, Hungerford, Backhaus(st), Nat

15. Op 28 – "Pastoral"  Lucchesini/Gulda - Moravec(live Brussels), Kempff(st),  Schnabel


Middle

16. Op 31/1 – Lucchesini/Fischer – Gulda,  Kempff(m),  Gilels, Yudina, Backhaus(st), Nat

17. Op 31/2 – "Tempest"   Lucchesini/Fischer – Richter,  Gilels,  Gulda,  Schnabel,  Nat, Backhaus(st), Haskil

18. Op 31/3 – Lucchesini/Fischer – Kovacevich(Philips),  Kempff(m),  Backhaus(st),  Haskil

19. Op 49/1 – Lucchesini/Gulda – Richter,  Hungerford,  Fischer,  Schnabel 

20. Op 49/2 – Lucchesini/Gulda – Schnabel, Hungerford, Kempff(m), Backhaus(st), Nat

21. Op 53 – "Waldstein" Lucchesini/Serkin (m)/Hofmann (Casimir) - Fischer/Gilels, Horowitz, Schnabel, Hungerford, Backhaus(st), Nat, Gieseking,  Kempff(m)

22. Op 54 – Lucchesini/Fischer – Richter, Solomon, Kempff(m), Yudina

23. Op 57 – "Appassionata" Fischer – Arrau/Richter, Lucchesini, Horowitz, Serkin(m), Nat, Kempff(m)

24. Op 78 – Lucchesini/Kempff(m)/Serkin(m) – Schnabel

25. Op 79 – Lucchesini/Kempff(m) – Schnabel,  Gilels,  Gulda

26. Op 81a – "Les Adieux" Lucchesini/Fischer/Gilels – Moravec/Serkin (m), Rubinstein, Schnabel


Late

27. Op 90 – Fischer – Kempff(m)/Gilels,  Lucchesini, Gulda,  Richter, Backhaus(st), Yudina

28. Op 101 – Fischer – Kempff(st), Lucchesini, Pollini, Yudina, Gilels   

29. Op. 106 - "Hammerklavier"   Pollini – Gulda, Fischer, Lucchesini, Solomon, Serkin, Yudina, Nat, Backhaus(m), Kempff(m), Gilels

30. Op 109 – Fischer/Serkin(m) – Gulda, Schnabel, Pollini, Richter, Lucchesini, Backhaus(st), Serkin(st), Gilels, Nat, Kempff(m), Arrau(digital)

31. Op 110 – Serkin(st,1960) - Fischer/Kempff(st)/Gilels, Lucchesini, Pollini, Nat, Schnabel, Richter,  Backhaus(st), Hungerford

32. Op 111 – Yudina(studio) - Fischer/Kempff(st)/Gulda,  Pollini/Richter/Schnabel/Serkin(st), Lucchesini, Nat, Backhaus(st), Hungerford