Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

[Brian]

In honor of the Blazing Saddles love going on at the moment, I'll change my avatar to a portrait of Harvey Korman, who sadly passed away two days ago at the age of 81. He will be missed.

[PSmith08]

In honor of the Blazing Saddles love going on at the moment, I'll change my avatar to a portrait of Harvey Korman, who sadly passed away two days ago at the age of 81. He will be missed.

Indeed he will.

His pinnacle, for me, will always be High Anxiety and his brilliant turn as Dr. Charles Montague.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Absolutely.  And I really am from Waco.  (It's twue, it's twue!)  And I thank you for your constant graciousness, impeccable good taste (save for your curious fondness for a certain Sibelius cycle!  ), and consistently fine recommendations. 

Well, thank you very much for saying so, Dave! And back atcha!

And about that Ashkenazy cycle...I'll try...(first step is admitting there's a problem, right? ).

[Wanderer]

Possibly because he's not very good, at least overall.  Some of the sonatas are really superb - the 106, for some reason, and the Op 49 works come to mind - but almost without fail I find him one of the least compelling Beethoven players on disc.  He's got beautiful tone, excellent technique, but he's almost as boring as Goode.

I mostly agree with this view (I'm not familiar with Goode's Beethoven). Lewis has very good qualities (his tone, especially, is indeed beautiful) and some quite interesting insights but the overall results in most cases (including many of the well known sonatas) end up being undistinguished and pedestrian. His sometimes audible hum of a breath can be distracting (and unwillingly funny), too, but that's really Harmonia Mundi's problem.

But "he's not good" to "I find him one of the least compelling" have quite a distance between them...

Otherwise, tastes differ.

It's just that; he is good in many ways but the synthesis of his qualities doesn't satisfy (certainly not as much as some reviews would make one think) and we all know Beethoven's sonatas are much more than the sum of their parts. An ongoing cycle which I feel it's really worth getting to know is Schiff's; I find him much more insightful than Lewis at any rate.
And, of course, your last sentence says it all. 

[Renfield]

It's just that; he is good in many ways but the synthesis of his qualities doesn't satisfy (certainly not as much as some reviews would make one think) and we all know Beethoven's sonatas are much more than the sum of their parts. An ongoing cycle which I feel it's really worth getting to know is Schiff's; I find him much more insightful than Lewis at any rate.
And, of course, your last sentence says it all. 

More than fair enough!

[George]

And about that Ashkenazy cycle...I'll try...(first step is admitting there's a problem, right? ).

I must still be in denial. I see no problem in loving the Ashkenazy Sibelius Symphonies. 

[springrite]

I have only heard one Beethoven sonata from Goode, and it was a LIVE performance. While it was good overall, it did not leave a strong impression and given the strong competition, I did not consider buying the CDs.

I think Goode is at his best playing the wonderful works of George Perle.

[DavidRoss]

I must still be in denial. I see no problem in loving the Ashkenazy Sibelius Symphonies. 

Nor do I, even though it's probably the set I like least among all I know.  I brought it up with Don because it's such an odd exception to our usually coincident taste--and it's chiefly because he likes it so much that I continue to listen to it in hopes that it will grow on me.    After all, anyone who appreciates the fluid grace, thoughtful virtuosity, and classical restraint of Goode's Beethoven sonata cycle is one whose opinions are likely to carry particular weight with me (and I'm surprised to find fewer of us here!). 

BTW, a couple of others have mentioned Gilels's not-quite-complete cycle.  I have only one disc from that set, but it contains a Waldstein that is so nearly perfect to my ears that I battle myself every time I play it over whether to acquire the boxset or not.  So far I've resisted, but only because I already have several cycles, at least three of which I find very satisfying.

[George]

Nor do I, even though it's probably the set I like least among all I know.  I brought it up with Don because it's such an odd exception to our usually coincident taste--and it's chiefly because he likes it so much that I continue to listen to it in hopes that it will grow on me.   

I am still trying to do the same with Goode, actually. It may be time for another listening session with his set. 

BTW, a couple of others have mentioned Gilels's not-quite-complete cycle.  I have only one disc from that set, but it contains a Waldstein that is so nearly perfect to my ears that I battle myself every time I play it over whether to acquire the boxset or not.  So far I've resisted, but only because I already have several cycles, at least three of which I find very satisfying.

Oh yeah, that Gilels set is wonderful. You will never hear a set with better slow movements. The mines the depths and discovers gold each time.

The set is cheap and takes up very little shelf space...nudge, nudge. 

[Gurn Blanston]

I only have 4 or 5 cycles, not heard them all so don't know which is best, but for me, the overall effect of O'Conor's is very nice indeed. From y'all's descriptions, I suppose it is rather more like Goode's than any other, but there is no element of blandness that I can detect, just a wonderful poetry, technical mastery, and topped off with great sound (Telefunken, after all!). I'm of the school that would sooner put a set together from parts than expect to buy one, perfect set, but if I had to just grab one off the shelf, this would be it.

On fortepiano, my preference, there are 2 cycles under way by 2 master pianists, and it is a much harder choice. When they are both finished, choosing between Brautigam and Komen will be extremely difficult. Fortunately, I won't have to choose.



----------------
Listening to:
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Ferenc Fricsay - LvB Op 125 Symphony #9 in d 5th mvmt

[George]

I only have 4 or 5 cycles, not heard them all so don't know which is best, but for me, the overall effect of O'Conor's is very nice indeed. From y'all's descriptions, I suppose it is rather more like Goode's than any other, but there is no element of blandness that I can detect, just a wonderful poetry, technical mastery, and topped off with great sound (Telefunken, after all!). I'm of the school that would sooner put a set together from parts than expect to buy one, perfect set...

Someone needs to start that best peromance of each sonata thread. Perhaps we could do one thread for each period?

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Ferenc Fricsay - LvB Op 125 Symphony #9 in d 5th mvmt

It must be Sunday... 0:)

[Sergeant Rock]

If only his outer movements were faster, he'd be a top choice for sure. His slow movements are unmatched IMO.

I don't agree. If his outer movements were faster, he wouldn't be Gilels and he wouldn't have my vote as the top cycle (however incomplete). I prefer Gilels' broader tempos.

Sarge

[Gurn Blanston]

Someone needs to start that best peromance of each sonata thread. Perhaps we could do one thread for each period?

Holden started it already, beginning with Op 101...

It must be Sunday... 0:)

0:)   Yes, my treat for the week. Fricsay is a peach.





----------------
Listening to:
Haydn - London Sonatas - Ronald Brautigam - Hob 16 49 Sonata #59 in Eb for Fortepiano 2nd mvmt - Adagio e cantabile

[Sergeant Rock]

I must still be in denial. I see no problem in loving the Ashkenazy Sibelius Symphonies. 

Neither do I...his Third especially I could not live without.

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

BTW, a couple of others have mentioned Gilels's not-quite-complete cycle.  I have only one disc from that set, but it contains a Waldstein that is so nearly perfect to my ears....

Superb cover art too:




Sarge

[George]

Sarge, you heard the Gilels live Appassionata from the Green Beethoven Gilels Brilliant box?

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge, you heard the Gilels live Appassionata from the Green Beethoven Gilels Brilliant box?

No I haven't. Worth acquiring? (I think I know your answer  )

Sarge

[George]

No I haven't. Worth acquiring? (I think I know your answer  )

Sarge

Yes, it's worth the price of the whole set for that one performance.

I don't even think you'd know it was the same pianist. It's more - no much more intense and less refined.

[Sergeant Rock]

Although Todd, on purpose, didn't include every incomplete set, I think at least one other pianist should be included. I'm hoping he won't mind if I revise his list:

Individual, idiosyncratic, even eccentric: Eric Heidsieck, Russell Sherman, Anton Kuerti, Georges Pludermacher, Glenn Gould.

Although the Appasionata is deliberately sabotaged by GG, and few of the rest come out unscathed by Gouldian distortions, the set is worth hearing and, I think, does contain insights--into Gould's mind, of course, but also Beethoven's. Gould's convictions about Beethoven interpretation were heart-felt and real. Phenomenal, even mind-boggling technique is a given. If nothing else, he makes you sit up and really listen to these overfamiliar works again. The early sonatas are lovingly, and convincingly rendered.

Sarge

[springrite]

I love GG's Hammerklavier.