Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Meneutto, Allegretto
4. Prestissimo
5. Allegro vivace
6. Largo appassionato
7. Scherzo, Allegretto
8. Rondo, Grazioso
9. Allegro con brio
10. Adagio
11. Scherzo, Allegro
12. Allegro assai

Disc 2:

1. Allegro molto e con brio
2. Adagio molto
3. Finale, Prestissimo
4. Allegro
5. Allegretto
6. Presto
7. Presto
8. Largo e mesto
9. Menuetto, Allegro
10. Rondo, Allegro
11. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
12. Andante cantabile
13. Rondo, Allegro

Disc 3:

1. Allegro molto e con brio
2. Largo, con gran espressione
3. Allegro
4. Rondo, Poco Allegretto e grazioso
5. Allegro
6. Allegretto
7. Rondo, Allegro comodo
8. Allegro
9. Andante
10. Scherzo, Allegro assai
11. Andante
12. Allegro molto e vivace
13. ADagio con espresione
14. Allegro vivace

Disc 4:

1. Allegro con brio
2. Adagio con molta espressione
3. Menuetto
4. Rondo, Allegretto
5. Andante con Variazoni
6. Scherzo, Allegro molto
7. Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe
8. Allegro
9. Adagio sostenuto
10. Allegretto
11. Presto agitato
12. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
13. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen

Disc 5:

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Scherzo, Allegro assai
4. Rondo, Allegro ma non troppo
5. Allegro vivace
6. Adagio grazioso
7. Rondo, Allegretto
8. Largo - Allegro
9. Adagio
10. Allegretto

Disc 6:

1. Allegro
2. Allegretto vivace
3. Meneutto, Moderato e grazioso
4. Presto con fuoco
5. Andante
6. Rondo, Allegro
7. Allegro ma non troppo
8. Tempo di Menuetto
9. Allegro con brio
10. Introduction, Adagio molto
11. Rondo, Allegretto moderato

Disc 7:

1. In tempo d'un Menuetto
2. Allegretto
3. Allegro assai
4. Andante con moto
5. Allegro ma non troppo
6. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo
7. Allegro vivace
8. Presto alla tedesca
9. Andante
10. Vivace
11. Adagio - Allegro
12. Andante espressivo
13. Vivacissimamente

Disc 8:

1. Etwas lebhaft, und mit der innigsten Empfindung, Allegretto ma non troppo
2. Lebhaft, marschmabig, Vivace alla Marcia
3. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll, Adagio ma non troppo, con affetto
4. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit, Allegro
5. Allegro
6. Scherzo, Assai vivace
7. Adagio sostenuto, Appassionato e on molto sentimento
8. Largo, Allegro risoluto / Fuga

Disc 9:

1. Vivace, ma non troppo
2. Prestissimo
3. Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo, Gesangvoll, mi innigster Empfindung
4. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
5. Allegro molto
6. Adagio ma non troppo / Fuga, Allegro ma non troppo
7. Maestoso / Allegro con brio ed appassionato
8. Arietta, Adagio molto semplice e cantabile

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111459 in Music
• Released on: 1999-11-09
• Number of discs: 9
• Format: Box set

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful Beethoven Sonata Cycle
This is one of the lesser stars of my classical CD collection. I find Barenboim's playing rich in elegant technique and warmth. Unlike Brendel, he views Beethoven with a deep emotional richness that is quite apparent throughout the entire sonata cycle. Barenboim shows that he is as comfortable playing Beethoven's early sonatas such as the Pathetique as he is with the later, more complex works like the Hammerklavier. Only Claudio Arrau and Wilhelm Kempff surpass Barenboim's combination of superb technique coupled with warm, passionate performances. Yet Barenboim's Deutsche Grammophon Beethoven sonata cycle is available at a far lower price than either Arrau's or Kempff's.

Elegant & Sophistcated Beethoven

Being used to heavy weight renditions of Beethoven Sonatas by Russian masters like Richter, Gilels, Vedernikov, Neuhaus, at first listening I had an impression that Barenboim's Beethoven is a little too light-weight, especially earlier sonatas, but after repeated listening I was quite taken by the noble beauty and delicacy of his playing. Waldstein, Moonlight & Pathetique Sonatas are exceptionally well played with refinement and inspiration.

Only thing I can not stand in this set is Appassionata Sonata played like Chopin Nocturne, which made me nearly fall asleep! I like unpredictable and uncompromising Beethoven played with extreme contrasts by Richter and Gilels, but Barenboim's interpretation was a revelation and quite refreshing experience to listen to this set.

NOT a first or second or third or fourth choice for this set!
First the positive:

1. Excellent Sound.
2. Great Beauty of tone.
3. Great price.
4. Many moments of brilliance. (His Pathetique for example).

Now the Negative:

1. Often Lacks Energy.
2. Often Played too slow.
3. Too much Barenboim, not enough Beethoven. (overinterpreted)

To make it clear, I loved his "songs without words" (also on DG), and at first loved this set. With repeated hearings it became clear that the above issues necessitated a replacement. The real problem is consistency, when he's on he's ON, but when he's off, boy is he OFF!

Annie Fisher was recommended by my Music History professor and many others, so I will entrust this glorious music to her. Although over 100 bucks, I now love this music enough to want to have a great set. By the way a complete set by Backhaus is available, as is a cheap two fer of his Beethoven.