Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[George]

Indeed it is confusing. All four posted by Furioso are the third (last) complete cycle by Gulda.

This one is the second complete set:



And this one is the first:

[George]

It is confusing. Why that one set has been licensed and re-licensed, I don't know.

I could gue$$.

[canninator]

Indeed it is confusing. All four posted by Furioso are the third (last) complete cycle by Gulda.

Okay, I got there in the end 

So is the Brilliant set is generally considered to be the best mastering of that cycle? How does the playing compare to the first and second cycles?

[canninator]

And here is a link you may find useful (by our very own Jens - maybe he knows the history better than I do): http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/June09/Beethoven_piano_cycles2.htm

That was a really useful link thanks. Now I've decided I want the Kempff II, BackhausII , Arrau I, and Gulda II so maybe I shouldn't thank you that much 

[George]

That was a really useful link thanks. Now I've decided I want the Kempff II, BackhausII , Arrau I, and Gulda II so maybe I shouldn't thank you that much 

Just so you know, that survey by Jens isn't up to date, as his Gulda II is actually Gulda III.

Since he did that survey the Orfeo (Gulda I) has been released.

[mc ukrneal]

Okay, I got there in the end 

So is the Brilliant set is generally considered to be the best mastering of that cycle? How does the playing compare to the first and second cycles?

Not having heard all the different masterings, I don't know. But I would choose from Decca Eloquence or Brilliant sets (as the most recent and remastered). I would imagine they are fine (and quick check on the clips will confirm for you). Perhaps someone who has heard more than one will be able to better guide you.

I don't really know the different Gulda's well enough to pick between them (especially the newest on Orfeo, which I haven't heard).

EDIT: I see that Sarge just posted a listen to the Decca version of the remastering in the listening thread - he may know more.

[George]

So is the Brilliant set is generally considered to be the best mastering of that cycle? How does the playing compare to the first and second cycles?

The playing on the Brilliant/Amadeo set is better than the first cycle. I will add that the sound is better on the Brilliant/Amadeo too. I should also say that the style is not very different. I haven't heard the second one (Original Masters,) but since the other two are so close, I may not bother with it.

Whether the Brilliant is the best mastering, I am not sure, as I have not heard the Amadeo. The sound on the Brilliant is perfectly fine, though and certainly better than the Orfeo.     

[jlaurson]

Just so you know, that survey by Jens isn't up to date, as his Gulda II is actually Gulda III.

Since he did that survey the Orfeo (Gulda I) has been released.

I will call it: "Gulda 0" :-)

[George]

I will call it: "Gulda 0" :-)

Clever.

[canninator]

Thanks George, ukrneal for your advice and jlaurson for the excellent site.

I went with Backhaus II and supplemented that with the DG 2CD set of the Pollini late sonatas. The Backhaus seems to be a good match for my musical personality and the Pollini seemed to good to pass up given that the only reservations in the Backhaus appear to be in the late sonatas.

Strange that I've never bought a complete cycle given the amount of classical period stuff I have for guitar.

[mc ukrneal]

Thanks George, ukrneal for your advice and jlaurson for the excellent site.

I went with Backhaus II and supplemented that with the DG 2CD set of the Pollini late sonatas. The Backhaus seems to be a good match for my musical personality and the Pollini seemed to good to pass up given that the only reservations in the Backhaus appear to be in the late sonatas.

Strange that I've never bought a complete cycle given the amount of classical period stuff I have for guitar.

Congratulations! Hope you enjoy them.  I like the Pollini as well - you always feel that you are in the presence of someone who has given them a lot of thought. Of course, there are lots of good versions these days. Don't forget to report back - very interested in your reaction.

[jlaurson]

Thanks George, ukrneal for your advice and jlaurson for the excellent site.

I went with Backhaus II and supplemented that with the DG 2CD set of the Pollini late sonatas. The Backhaus seems to be a good match for my musical personality and the Pollini seemed to good to pass up given that the only reservations in the Backhaus appear to be in the late sonatas.

Strange that I've never bought a complete cycle given the amount of classical period stuff I have for guitar.

Good choices. If someone pried all but two sets of LvB from my dead, cold hands, those would be the ones that remain. 

[Todd]

Looks like a couple more cycles are either now or soon to be available in affordable boxes:

First is Louie Lortie.  I didn't know he finished the cycle.  Looks like I'll be buying this soon, as in today or tomorrow.




The other is by one Peter Takacs, a name new to me.  It comes out in January.  Should I buy, I wonder?

[SonicMan46]

Looks like a couple more cycles are either now or soon to be available in affordable boxes:

First is Louie Lortie.  I didn't know he finished the cycle.  Looks like I'll be buying this soon, as in today or tomorrow.

Todd - will be interested in your comments on the Lortie cycle - just read Scott Morrison's review on Amazon HERE - he gave the box a 4*/5 rating w/ some reservations regarding the different recording periods, and also the opinion that this would not be a first choice.  I've enjoyed Lortie in other performances, esp. of the French composers, so will be curious of the thoughts of our LvB experts here - 

[mc ukrneal]

Todd - will be interested in your comments on the Lortie cycle - just read Scott Morrison's review on Amazon HERE - he gave the box a 4*/5 rating w/ some reservations regarding the different recording periods, and also the opinion that this would not be a first choice.  I've enjoyed Lortie in other performances, esp. of the French composers, so will be curious of the thoughts of our LvB experts here - 

I'm interested as well, especially as I have a disc of Lortie playing various variations for piano, and they are quite good.

[Oldnslow]

I hadn't listened to Annie Fischer's sonata set for awhile, so over the last week I did.  It was triggered by watching her fantastic performance of the Emperor concerto on youtube. As always, I am amazed by the quality and depth of her playing in the sonatas. For me it is the most consistent of all the Beethoven sonata sets I have heard. What a great musician. By the way, Amazon U.S. lists the box set for $18--obviously a misprint for this very expensive set, but might be worth a try to see if you could get it for that!    

[dirkronk]

I hadn't listened to Annie Fischer's sonata set for awhile, so over the last week I did.  It was triggered by watching her fantastic performance of the Emperor concerto on youtube. As always, I am amazed by the quality and depth of her playing in the sonatas. For me it is the most consistent of all the Beethoven sonata sets I have heard. What a great musician. By the way, Amazon U.S. lists the box set for $18--obviously a misprint for this very expensive set, but might be worth a try to see if you could get it for that!    

Good lord. For that price, I'd consider getting a second copy.


Dirk

[George]

Good lord. For that price, I'd consider getting a second copy.


Dirk

...they'd make nice stocking stuffers.   0:)

[Coopmv]

I hadn't listened to Annie Fischer's sonata set for awhile, so over the last week I did.  It was triggered by watching her fantastic performance of the Emperor concerto on youtube. As always, I am amazed by the quality and depth of her playing in the sonatas. For me it is the most consistent of all the Beethoven sonata sets I have heard. What a great musician. By the way, Amazon U.S. lists the box set for $18--obviously a misprint for this very expensive set, but might be worth a try to see if you could get it for that!    

But Amazon reserves the right to cancel an order after the recording in question is not available for a period of time.  That happened to me once before.  So until one receives the email saying the order has been shipped, nothing can be taken for granted ...

[mc ukrneal]

I hadn't listened to Annie Fischer's sonata set for awhile, so over the last week I did.  It was triggered by watching her fantastic performance of the Emperor concerto on youtube. As always, I am amazed by the quality and depth of her playing in the sonatas. For me it is the most consistent of all the Beethoven sonata sets I have heard. What a great musician. By the way, Amazon U.S. lists the box set for $18--obviously a misprint for this very expensive set, but might be worth a try to see if you could get it for that!    

Appears to be up to $52, which is still a good price for this set. I've rarely seen it below $100! But it is out of stock, so who knows...