Track Listing

1. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
2. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
3. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
4. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
5. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
6. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
7. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
8. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
9. Sonata for Piano in f minor, Op. 57, Appassionata

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #201736 in Music
• Released on: 2005-04-26
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
This CD presents Beethoven's immortal "Appassionata" sonata in three separate performances on different instruments, all played by virtuoso keyboardist, Lambert Orkis. Beethoven himself regarded the f minor sonata to be his finest sonata at the time that he wrote it (1805), and Carl Czerny, a student of Beethoven's points out that whatever considerable powers a pianist needed for Beethoven's sonatas prior to this composition, this work required the doubling of those abilities. When Beethoven composed the "Appassionata", a consensus regarding how a piano should sound had not been achieved. Indeed, the instrument was in the throes of a rapid evolutionary development. The three instruments used in this recording are based upon Viennese piano building designs and represent three snapshots in time of Viennese piano evolution. Lambert Orkis has received international recognition as chamber musician, interpreter of contemporary music, and performer on period instr! uments. He has appeared world-wide in recital with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter since 1988 and with cellist Mstislav Rostropovich since 1983. A multi-Grammy Award nominee, his large discography comprises works of the Classical, Romantic and Modern eras. Mr. Orkis can be heard on the following Bridge CDs: George Crumb: A Little Suite for Christmas; Richard Wernick: Sonata "Reflections of a Dark Light" (BRIDGE 9003); Richard Wernick: Piano Concerto (BRIDGE 9082); Richard Wernick: Piano Sonata No. 2; James Primosch: Sonata-Fantasia (BRIDGE 9131).

Customer Reviews

Power of the Bosendorfer!!!!!!!!!!!!
I purchased this CD after hearing it used as a DEMO for the VC-7 Bosendorfer Loudspeakers at the Bosendorfer Showroom In New York City. As soon as I got home I ordered a couple of copies for myself and friends. My main reason was to be able experience over and over again the wonderful expression demonstrated by Lambert Orkis while playing what I feel is the most incredible instrument in the world the BOSENDORFER IMPERIAL CONCERT GRAND. To hear this instrument is an unforgetable experience, and to hear Lambert play Beethoven on it is unforgetable 10 time over.!!!!!!!BRAVO

A wonderful and fascinating recording
First, I have to admit a bias...I work for Bosendorfer. That being said, this is a wonderful recording through which to explore the development of the piano as a mechanical device and the impact of that development on composers and performers. The same composition, recorded on 3 different examples of the piano makers craft.

I also have greatly admired Lambert Orkis for many years. He is not really known as a solo player and listening to this controlled, intelligent, dynamic performance, one wonders why!

And yes, it is a great recording of the Imperial (Model 290). Bosendorfer is the last living vestige of the Viennese school of piano building and you really hear that influence in the tenor and treble as well as the clear bass that Bosendorfer, and especially the Imperial is known for. Pianos should have different tone between pp and ff, not just the same tone louder or softer. Most "standard" pianos don't have that characteristic. If they do, and this one does, it still takes a skilled player to bring that out..