Ludwig Van Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas Vol. 2

Amazon.com This is the second volume of András Schiff's projected recording, in chronological order, of the complete Beethoven sonatas. It comprises the three sonatas Op. 10 and the "Pathétique" Sonata Op. 13, all written between 1795 and 1798, but quite different in character and feeling. The first, in Beethoven's dramatic tonality of C minor, is turbulent; the second is light-hearted and humorous. The third is most expansive; in four rather than three movements, it includes a lyrical Menuetto with an all too short, delightful Trio, and a profound, grief-stricken slow movement. The "Pathétique," again in C minor, has become a popular favorite for its high drama and its beautiful, song-like middle movement. Its slow introduction recurs several times; Schiff regards it as a thematic and structural part of the movement and includes it in the repeat of the exposition. (He takes all repeats throughout, at times adding discreet ornamentation.) Schiff's playing, as always, is the essence of refinement and elegance. His virtuosity is invariably at the service of the music, even at headlong speeds; his tone sings with beguiling beauty. He commands variety of touch, articulation, dynamics, and inflection; melody and harmonic background are balanced perfectly. (The Angelo Fabbrini piano sounds clear, but less rich and mellow than the Bösendorfer he often uses.) He combines scholarly integrity with inward expressiveness, steadiness with poised liberties; his identification with Beethoven's changing moods is complete. Strangely enough, he subscribes to the old-fashioned habit of letting the left hand anticipate the right and tends to rush certain rhythms, especially before and after crossing hands. But these are minor flaws in masterfully controlled, deeply affecting performances. -- Edith Eisler Product description International press reaction to the first volume of Schiff's Beethoven cycle was unanimous in their praise and many critics expressed their high expectations for the edition as a whole: "If the results match this volume we are in for a memorable cycle" - Sunday Times. And his concept to record the sonatas live and on two different pianos found much respect with reviewers. He plays each in 15 different cities before recording it: "I really feel that my performances get more mature from concert to concert. The repetitions are a very valuable lesson." As to his alternating use of a Steinway and a Bosendorfer, he emphasizes Beethoven's versatility and his great range of sonorities: "Most of his piano sonatas are rather lyrical pieces - they are poetic, philosophical, sometimes even humorous creations that don't 'bite' in the way the 'Pathetique' or the 'Hammerklavier' sonatas do. They have nothing in common with the cliche of the heroic and dramatic Beethoven. That's why I prefer the Bosendorfer in these works." Schiff has repeatedly claimed that Beethoven's early sonatas need to be taken absolutely seriously as they offer highest compositional quality right from the start with Op 2. The Op 10 sonatas, written between 1796 and 1798 before he was 30, form a group of subtly interrelated masterworks. In Schiff's view they are pieces for "connoisseurs and amateurs", each displaying its own clearly defined character while the famous 'Pathetique' from 1798/99 introduces a dramatic attitude and a symphonic writing that was to become a central trait of some of Beethoven's most important works. Schiff's Beethoven cycle on ECM continues this autumn with Volume III: the Sonatas Opp 11, 14 and 22. Personnel: Andras Schiff - piano
ASIN: B000EGFUZA
VSKU: DBV.B000EGFUZA.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:András Schiff
Binding: Audio CD