Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major ('Hammerklavier'), Op. 106: 1. Allegro
2. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major ('Hammerklavier'), Op. 106: 2. Scherzo
3. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major ('Hammerklavier'), Op. 106: 3. Adagio sostenuto
4. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major ('Hammerklavier'), Op. 106: 4. Largo; Allegro risoluto
5. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: 1. Maestoso; Allegro con brio e appassionato
6. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: 2. Arietta: Adagio molto, semplice e cantabile

Disc 2:

1. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: 1. Allegretto ma non troppo
2. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: 2. Vivace alla marcia
3. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: 3. Adagio ma non troppo con affetto; Presto
4. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: 1. Vivace ma non troppo; Adagio espressivo
5. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: 2. Prestissimo
6. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: 3. Tema con variazioni
7. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: 1. Moderato cantabile, molto espressivo
8. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: 2. Allegro molto; 3. Adagio ma non troppo
9. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Fuga: (Allegro ma non troppo)
10. Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90: 1. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
11. Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90: 2. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorzutragen

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #74610 in Music
• Released on: 1992-11-04
• Number of discs: 2

Andrew Porter, The New Yorker
"The early Vox recordings show Brendel at his most unaffectedly strong and poetic. This is a young man's Beethoven -- buoyant, fiery and generous."

Customer Reviews

A brilliant and confident execution by Brendel
I was looking for Ivan Moravec's Late Piano Sonatas when I found this one. I bought it because the price was right (two CD's for the price of one!) and the performer was a first rated pianist (what can I lose?). My only concern had to do with how bad the sound would be, but since this CD was also including the lovely and enigmatic "Hammerklavier" Sonata.... I decided to take a risk. There was no Review available and I had to further information. When I listened to it I could not believe my ears! I thought it was "too good to be true". The sound is excellent in the CD and the young Brendel gave his best in these performances. I fell so compelled with these renditions that I went out and bought the other three albums and had the same satisfaction. A quality recording from a Brendel that mesmerizes in his enchanting and sure execution of Beethoven's Sonatas. Certainly a Great Buy!

Best Bang for the Buck
The question is what you are after. If it's bang for the buck you are after, look no further. If it's the bang that you are after, read on. These 1962 recordings of Beethoven's late sonatas are Brendel's first. He was already a great pianist but what he learned since then is immeasurable! Since then he recorded Beethoven's late sonatas 2 more times; in the seventies (which I have not listen to) and then in December of 1995 (by Philips). His 1995 recording is the closest to perfection you would ever get. A great pianist is one who never stops learning. Brendel is exactly that.

Underrated Early Brendel
I think that Brendel's early Beethoven recordings are underrated and have not been given the credit they deserve. Some of the bad reviews here at Amazon are unwarranted. Brendel's playing here is excellent. I compared these recordings with Goode's "Late Sonatas" CD and found Goode to be lacking in every respect. Brendel has a wonderful understanding of all the nuances of the score, and contrary to what Brendel's detractors say, his playing is not cold and aloof. To the contrary, I found his playing lively and great attention to detail is seen throughout this entire cycle. The numerous shifts in tone and feel that Beethoven put into each peice are picked up by Brendel. The sound is very good also. The mic is close to the piano and there is hardly any echoing, which means the sound is clear and direct. Everyone may not like this set, but I am very happy with it and I believe it is one of the best Beethoven cycles around.