Track Listing

1. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Path�tique'), Op. 13: Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
2. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Path�tique'), Op. 13: Andante cantabile
3. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Path�tique'), Op. 13: Rondo, Allegro
4. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor ('Appassionata'), Op. 57: Allegro assai
5. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor ('Appassionata'), Op. 57: Andante con moto
6. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor ('Appassionata'), Op. 57: Allegro ma non troppo
7. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor ('Moonlight'), Op. 27/2: Adagio sostenuto
8. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor ('Moonlight'), Op. 27/2: Allegretto
9. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor ('Moonlight'), Op. 27/2: Presto agitato

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30132 in Music
• Brand: Philips
• Released on: 1990-03-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Customer Reviews

Exquisite, elegant, measured, and great.
It's wonderful to return to these works after an absence of 30 years. Familiar, but ... consider the andante con moto of No 23 in F Minor, Op 57... it begins quietly, measured pace, the low notes of the keyboard,
certain in its course, building slowly, then it moves into the middle range, so beautiful, so much beauty, bell like tone of the notes, exquisite touch of the pianist, as if reasoning with us, listen to me, listen to me, a sense of urgency, sensual urgency builds, playfulness, but the inexorable drive to climax, back to the beginning for the resolution, a pause, then ....
If there is anything more beautiful in the piano repertoire, show it to me.
Played by a musicians artist. A bargain.

Must-have if you like Beethoven
This is a disc you should buy immediately if you don't have Arrau's complete Beethoven sonatas set already. Arrau gives truly superb renditions of these three sonatas: the Pathetique is stormy and dramatic in its outer movements and intensely peaceful at the center, his Moonlight sheds a new light on this too often played sonata, but the real prize of the disc is the Appassionata, where Arrau plays with more angriness and drama than anyone I've yet heard. Hear how he assaults the chords of the third movement! These three sonatas, especially the last, are Arrau's territory and it shows in all aspects. You'd best get the whole set but for a good introduction this single disc is indispensable.

A very passionate and serious-minded Beethoven.
Claudio Arrau is not always an easy pianist to listen to. His playing is sometimes very irritating and at times can seem boring. Not everyone will agree with his Beethoven playing, and his playing in general, but many will be fascinated by his complex intellectuality. His Beethoven playing, particularly the sonatas, are some of his best and most interesting work. If anyone was to own one recording of Arrau's playing, I would surely suggest a Beethoven recording. His interpretations of these three popular sonatas are unorthodox but are given very passionate and interesting performances. Anyone studying or interested in these sonatas should listen to Arrau, the Appassionata especially is given an excellent performance.

This CD is highly recommended, it's an excellent lesson in Arrau's Beethoven playing.