Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Op. 2, Nos. 1-3

On this CD:

1. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2/1
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Louis Lortie

2. Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2/2
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Louis Lortie

3. Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2/3
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Louis Lortie

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Op. 2, Nos. 1-3, Music, Ludwig van Beethoven, Louis Lortie, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Composers, Keyboard, Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas nos 6-8 / Kremer, Argerich
Average customer rating:

Apollo and Dionysus shake hands!

Great But Not That Great

Do I dare say Jaw dropping Performance? Yes It Is!

Passes the Blindfold Test

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas nos 6-8 / Kremer, Argerich
Ludwig van Beethoven , Martha Argerich , and Gidon Kremer
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Kremer, Gidon | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: Violinsonaten Nos. 9 "Kreutzer" & 10

Beethoven: Violinsonaten Nos. 4 & 5 "Fruhling"

Bach: Sonatas for Cello & Piano

J.S. Bach: The Sonatas and Partitas for Violin Solo

Brahms: Sonata for 2 Pianos; Mendelssohn: Piano Trio #1; Martha Argerich

ASIN: B000001GOA
Release Date: 1995-09-19

Tracks:

Sonate In A Major, Op. 30 Nr. 1: 1. Allegro
Sonate In A Major, Op. 30 Nr. 1: 2. Adagio molto espressivo
Sonate In A Major, Op. 30 Nr. 1: 3. Allegro con Variazioni (I-VI)
Sonate In C Minor, Op. 30 Nr. 2: 1. Allegro con brio
Sonate In C Minor, Op. 30 Nr. 2: 2. Adagio cantabile
Sonate In C Minor, Op. 30 Nr. 2: 3. Scherzo. Allegro
Sonate In C Minor, Op. 30 Nr. 2: 4. Finale. Allegro - Presto
Sonate In G Major, Op. 30 Nr. 3: 1. Allegro assai
Sonate In G Major, Op. 30 Nr. 3: 2. Tempo di Minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso
Sonate In G Major, Op. 30 Nr. 3: 3. Allegro vivace

Amazon.com essential recording

It takes two great musicians to do justice to Beethoven's duo Sonatas. Soloist plus accompanist doesn't work in this music, which makes equal technical and musical demands on both players--except in some of the earlier sonatas, where the piano has more work. With Gidon Kremer and Martha Argerich, we start out with the basic requirement and go on from there. Although these are studio recordings they have the fire and intensity of concerts, with wide dynamic and emotional range and gratifying attention to every musical detail. This is one of a series of three discs, one of the best sets of Beethoven's Violin Sonatas ever recorded. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Apollo and Dionysus shake hands!.......2006-03-29

The necessary balance between the impetuous and sweeping pianism of Martha Argerich blended with the meditative and reflexive playing of Kremer worked out admirably, because when you have a solid approach these are minor obstacles.

Both of them play these Sonatas with sublime conviction, weeding and acrving in relief the dark and rough Beethovenian dissonances beneath the score, because of Beethoven' s sound must never sound only beautiful.

In spite of the fact I previously commented the winning performers of the whole set of Sonatas are to my mind Szigetti-Arrau, Kempff-Menuhin and for those who wish a lyrical approach Francescati-Casadesus, this is probably the most remarkable recording of these renowned works in the last thirty years.

And this fact is by itself, an emblematic feat.

Great But Not That Great.......2005-10-21

Many reviewers seem somewhat overenthusiastic in awarding the musicians here 5 stars for their talented performance. I am not as enthusiastic however as this performance has various defects and so is not the absolute best nor a candidate to be in that group compared to other performances.

In terms of giving five stars, I consider performances such as Emanuel Bay's and Jascha Heifetz' as a model 5-star performance and Argerich and Kremer just don't meet that bar by a long shot. I found the perfomance of Kremer and Argerich to be very good but each had similar problems. Kremer follows the piano well but his performance is very conservative and there is very little vibrato which he could and should have allowed to emphasize the romanticism of the piece. Argerich had similar problems in that she tended to mute the keys too soon and so made her performance a rather dry one at various points. Their interpretation of the meter is impeccable and both follow the piece very well with fine, perhaps too fine, precision. It is this over-technical precision on their part that tends to muffle the resonance of the instruments and somewhat remove the romantic aspects of Beethoven's works. In poetic fashion, they don't give the instruments time to breathe and sing; they are quickly muted before they can barely sing a note. This is certainly one of many great performances to own but it is not anywhere near the greatest of them. The sound quality however is state-of-the-art and brings out the music very well compared to some older performances of great virtuosos that are sometimes only in mono.

The performance here is kind of dry and technical more than the pieces require and it does limit their romantic effect. Kremer and Argerich are extremely talented but their perfomance is still beneath those of greats such as Emanuel Bay and Jascha Heifetz for example. It's still a good buy to add to one's collection and pleasing to the ears. I own it and I don't regret its purchase at all: it is simply a more conservative interpretation with less emotion than others on the market.

Do I dare say Jaw dropping Performance? Yes It Is!.......2004-09-08

I bought this from Amazon last few weeks back. I was actually looking for Beethoven Violin Sonata No.5 "Spring" I dont know why I eventually ended up purchasing this CD but Im glad I did. This is one of the most thrilling perfomance by Argerich & Kremer.Kremer's violin sounds very much authentic in sound & performance by the masterful Violinist is great.So is Argerich with her tilting fingers on her piano wow! this is an essential recording indeed.The fact that Im the 2nd person to review this recording is unbelievable to me, Amazon should be calling for a halt to the avalanche of reviews to this recording. For me things started hitting up from Sonata no.1 's "Allegretto con Variazion(1-vi) and then to the end. Violin's movement causes sparks to fly. Needless to say my colleagues at work now love the sound of a violin even though some will not admit to love this music.The understanding between the two instruments & co-ordination is simple out of this world.Musically i would not be able to express the actual movements i.e. in musical terminology since im not a musician but I know when something is not only great but deserves to be appluaded. You buy this one without any inhibitions its a must have for any serious collectors item. By the way I also purchased Perlmans No. 5 "spring" Beethoven violin concerto its also thrilling as well but this one comes tops.

Passes the Blindfold Test.......2000-07-04

Itzak Perlman & Vladimir Ashkenazy are virtuosic partners in their extraordinary 1970s version of the Beethoven violin sonatas, while Anne-Sophie Mutter's edgy brilliance is balanced by Lambert Orkis steady hand in their 1998 reading of these works. However, Gidon Kremer & Martha Argerich manage always to hold their own against these other two masterful sets in informal blindfold tests I've tried with friends, often coming out a whisker ahead. Painstakingly recorded over an 8-year period starting in 1987, Kremer & Argerich collaborate in full command of this exquisite material. These are two of the finest artists of our day playing together at the top of their game, a breathtaking set of performances of these ten monumental violin sonatas. In this case, Kremer's violin is more the anchor to Argerich's exuberant pianism. Best bet: save your acorns and get all three versions.

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2 & 3

Average customer rating:

Impressive Early Beethoven Performances
Simpl;y gorgeous!
Good Job

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2 & 3

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 17, 18, 26
Beethoven: Sonatas Nos. 7 & 23
Murray Perahia Plays Franck & Liszt
The Aldeburgh Recital
Mendelssohn: Sonata for Piano; Prelude & Fugue; Variations Sérieuses; Rondo Capriccioso

ASIN: B000002A6H
Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: I. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: II. Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: III. Menuetto. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: IV. Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A Major, Op. 2 No. 2: I. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A Major, Op. 2 No. 2: II. Largo appassionato
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A Major, Op. 2 No. 2: III. Scherzo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A Major, Op. 2 No. 2: IV. Rondo. Grazioso
Piano Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Op. 2 No. 3: I. Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Op. 2 No. 3: II. Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Op. 2 No. 3: III. Scherzo. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Op. 2 No. 3: IV. Allegro assai

Customer Reviews:

Impressive Early Beethoven Performances.......2007-05-13

Perahia performs these three works beautifully. His technique and style are masterful, his tone and nuance are well crafted, and the recording engineers have done an excelent job of capturing his exciting performances. I prefer his interpretations to the drier, (almost too) scholarly pressings of Jon O'Connor.
His performance of the 2nd sonanta (A Major) may be one of the two best overall performances I have ever heard either in recording or in live settings. (Which is very often in about the past 35 years.)

Simpl;y gorgeous!.......2001-10-29

I suggest that you buy this marvelous CD before Sony drops it from the active catalogue. It is simply a gorgeous interpretation of three of Beethoven's earliest piano sonatas, written early in his life, around the time that he was studying in Vienna with Haydn between 1792 and 1794. They are, however, unlike the Haydn sonatas, anticipating Beethoven's later exhilarating work in the form and showing definite evidences of the explosive excitement that would be a part of Beethoven's later piano pieces. The slow movements in all three sonatas are lovely, but the adagio in the C major sonata is absolutely exquisite, played sensitively and poignantly by Mr. Perahia. The menuetto in F minor sonata is a humorous, rather quirky movement with an attractive trio that moves gracefully back to the major theme. The prestissimo in Sonata #1 and the allegro assai of Sonata #3 have the fire and drive and the tonal contrasts that we associate with Beethoven's later work. There are big, Romantic images and technical wizardry in these early sonatas, and I think that the music lovers must study pieces like these in order to understand the depth and genius of Beethoven's later output.
The sonatas were never, in my opinion, played more beautifully. Mr. Perahia produces a simply beautiful tone in every note of the sonatas. He has complete technical command of his instrument and his interpretations are conceived in a loving manner. I do not believe that any interpretation in music is ever "definitive," but these probably come close to being ultimate. Finally, Sony reproduces Mr. Perahia's distinctive sound well, using 20 bit technology with "high definition sound." I am technically inept and have no idea what these terms mean, but the sound is brilliant and warm. If you enjoy this recording and wish to explore more of Mr. Perahia's excellent work, I suggest you purchase his fairly recent Sony recordings of Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti. They are as superb as the Beethoven CD and a delightful addition to one's recorded music collection.

Good Job.......2000-06-21

Murray Parahia has onced again released another set of great Beethoven sonatas (Hmm, all Beethoven sonatas are great!). His playing is as always, crystal clear with great technique, finger skills and musicality. I still think he has so much more to offer than what he produced in this recording. In conclusion, a fine recording with splendid results. Above everything else, for students learning the sonatas, this is a very good source for reference since Murray Parahia is by far one of the better pianists going around at present.

Beethoven: Sonatas for Cello and Piano Opus 69; Opus 102, Nos. 1 and 2; Brahms: Rhapsody No.2, Op. 79, etc.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Sonatas for Cello and Piano Opus 69; Opus 102, Nos. 1 and 2; Brahms: Rhapsody No.2, Op. 79, etc.

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000589ZY
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

Vc And Pno Son No.3 in A, Op.69: Allegro Ma Non Tanto
Vc And Pno Son No.3 in A, Op.69: Scherzo (Allegro Molto)
Vc And Pno Son No.3 in A, Op.69: Adagio Cantabile - Allegro Vivace
Vc And Pno Son No.4 in C, Op.102 No.1: Andante - Allegro Vivace
Vc And Pno Son No.4 in C, Op.102 No.1: Adagio - Tempo D'Andante - Allegro Vivace
Vc And Pno Son No.5 in D, Op.102 No.2: Allegro Con Brio
Vc And Pno Son No.5 in D, Op.102 No.2: Adagio Con Molto Sentimento D'Affetto
Vc And Pno Son No.5 in D, Op.102 No.2: Allegro - Allegro Fugato
Rhap No.2 in g, Op.79
Intermezzo in a, Op.116 No.2 - Artur Schnabel
Intermezzo in E flat, Op.117 No.1 - Artur Schnabel

Amazon.com

Artur Schnabel's postwar collaborations with cellist Pierre Fournier yielded compelling performances of Beethoven's three greatest cello sonatas. Matching Fournier's warm sound and elegant style with Schnabel's austere command of Beethoven's idiom was inspired. The result is momentum in the outer movements, soulfulness in the adagios. They're almost on par with the classic Emanuel Feuermann-Myra Hess recording of Op. 69 (also on Pearl) and their Opus 102 Sonatas are unbeatable, with the great Adagio of the second of the pair a moving high point, perfectly capturing one of Beethoven's finest single movements. The following fugue is exciting in its forward movement and the relaxed, natural way the two instruments exchange phrases. The Beethoven works alone would make for an indispensable disc, but the Brahms fillers are just as mouth-watering. Schnabel's Rhapsody and Intermezzos are a lesson in great Brahms playing, the Rhapsody with its transparent textures and the Intermezzos melting without a trace of sentimentality. Fine transfers by Seth Winner. --Dan Davis

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1 - Nos, 1-3, 5-10, 12-14

Average customer rating:

A joke
worth a listen but there are better recordings
Very Interesting
Gould Realizes Beethoven...
no 'original intent'

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1 - Nos, 1-3, 5-10, 12-14

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Glenn Gould Edition: Chopin / Mendelssohn / Scriabin / Prokofiev
Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos

ASIN: B0000028NX
Release Date: 1994-04-19

Tracks:

Sonata No.1 In F Minor, Op.2, No.1: I. Allegro
Sonata No.1 In F Minor, Op.2, No.1: II. Adagio
Sonata No.1 In F Minor, Op.2, No.1: III. Menuetto. Allegretto
Sonata No.1 In F Minor, Op.2, No.1: IV. Prestissimo
Sonata No.2 In A Major, Op.2, No.2: I. Allegro vivace
Sonata No.2 In A Major, Op.2, No.2: II. Largo appassionato
Sonata No.2 In A Major, Op.2, No.2: III. Scherzo. Allegretto
Sonata No.2 In A Major, Op.2, No.2: IV. Rondo. Grazioso
Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Op.2, No.3: I. Allegro con brio
Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Op.2, No.3: II. Adagio
Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Op.2, No.3: III. Scherzo. Allegro
Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Op.2, No.3: IV. Allegro assai

Tracks:

Sonata No.5 In C Minor, Op.10, No.1: I. Allegro molto e con brio
Sonata No.5 In C Minor, Op.10, No.1: II. Adagio molto
Sonata No.5 In C Minor, Op.10, No.1: III. Finale. Prestissimo
Sonata No.6 In F Major, Op.10, No.2: I. Allegro
Sonata No.6 In F Major, Op.10, No.2: II. Allegretto
Sonata No.6 In F Major, Op.10, No.2: III. Presto
Sonata No.7 In D Major, Op.10, No.3: I. Presto
Sonata No.7 In D Major, Op.10, No.3: II. Largo e mesto
Sonata No.7 In D Major, Op.10, No.3: III. Menuetto. Allegro
Sonata No.7 In D Major, Op.10, No.3: IV. Rondo. Allegro
Sonata No.12 In A-Flat Major, Op.26: I. Andante con Variazioni
Sonata No.12 In A-Flat Major, Op.26: II. Scherzo. Allegro molto
Sonata No.12 In A-Flat Major, Op.26: III. Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe
Sonata No.12 In A-Flat Major, Op.26: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

SONATA NO.8 IN C MINOR, OP.13 'PATHETIQUE': I. Grave - Allegro di molto e com brio
SONATA NO.8 IN C MINOR, OP.13 'PATHETIQUE': II. Adatio cantabile
SONATA NO.8 IN C MINOR, OP.13 'PATHETIQUE': III. Rondo. Allegro
Sonata No.9 In E Major, Op.14, No. 1: I . Allegro
Sonata No.9 In E Major, Op.14, No. 1: II. Allegretto
Sonata No.9 In E Major, Op.14, No. 1: III. Rondo. Allegro comodo
Sonata No.10 In G Major, Op.14, No.2: I. Allegro
Sonata No.10 In G Major, Op.14, No.2: II. Andante
Sonata No.10 In G Major, Op.14, No.2: III. Scherzo. Allegro assai
Sonata No.13 In E-Flat Major, Op.27, No.1: I. Andante - Allegro - Tempo I. - attacca:
Sonata No.13 In E-Flat Major, Op.27, No.1: II. Allegro molto e vivace - attacca:
Sonata No.13 In E-Flat Major, Op.27, No.1: III. Adagio con espressione - attacca:
Sonata No.13 In E-Flat Major, Op.27, No.1: IV. Allegro vivace
Sonata No.14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op.27, No.2 'Moonlight': I. Adagio sostenuto - attacca:
Sonata No.14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op.27, No.2 'Moonlight': II. Allegretto - attacca:
Sonata No.14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op.27, No.2 'Moonlight': III. Presto agitato

Customer Reviews:

A joke.......2005-07-15

Glenn Gould fans have got to be the most annoying people on the planet. As for the sonatas, I don't even know why they are stretched out over three disc, they could've compressed them down to one with no quality loss.

Everything you will get out of listening to these can be gotten from the Amazon.com preview samples. Listen, have a laugh, and save yourself some money.

worth a listen but there are better recordings.......2005-06-21

This is actually a review for vols. I and II. Just in general, Gould's style is fantastic for some of the sonatas but is really inappropriate for others.
His portamento (detached) presto/prestissimo playing makes the "Tempest" sonata the best version I've ever heard but really makes the "Pathetique" seem rushed and totally without feeling.
I mostly bought vol. II for the last 3 sonatas (op. 109, 110 and 111). I figured the most unusual and most "un-Beethovanic" of the sonatas deserved the most unusual interpretation, and I wasn't disappointed. They are clear and with good "diction", fast where appropriate but also slow and legato where melodic and flowing. Even in the most technically difficult sections Gould, in typical contrapunctal style, weaves the different voices in and out of the melody holding to his philosophy that "Every voice is important".
Probably the most disappointing of all the recordings on these 2 sets is the "Appassionata". Playing it through at practice speed does nothing for the passion, depth and beauty of this piece and only serves to exemplify Gould's hatred for it. (Typically, if Gould hated a piece, he would play it through either blindingly fast and without regard for dynamics or lethargically slow to heighten its inferiority and "boringness".
The "moonlight" seems a little fast, esp. the first movement, but it might be Gould's literal interpretation of 2/2 time. The 3rd movement is at breakneck speed that some people might like.
I actually prefer the romantic-style playing of R. Serkin, Brendel and Horowicz for this piece.
Listen to the 2nd movement of the #13 where the left and right hands are playing parallel arpeggios. In the 1st section the notes are played together but in the second section the hands are staggered by an 8th (the left hand plays the note 1/8th before the right). I have never heard a piano make that kind of ethereal echoing sound and, I suppose, it probably cannot be reproduced without the kind of fast detached playing that only Gould could do.
So, no one recording artist has the best performance of all the Beethoven sonatas. With Gould, you'll get excellent interpretations of some of the lesser known works and less adherence to the romantic style of the better known "named" sonatas.

Very Interesting.......2005-04-01

This is one of the most interesting CD's I've ever listened to. Gould's playing is unique; sometimes he makes Beethoven sound almost as if he had lived in Bach's days.

I'd recommand that you compare Gould's first movement of the first sonata to that of any good "conventional" pianist (Goode, Kovacevich, Brendel, Kempff, Ashkenazy, to name a few; too bad Gilels died before he could record it). Some of you might find Gould's approach worthy indeed.

Gould Realizes Beethoven..........2005-01-17

These are great recordings. Gould realizes Beethoven: he sees what's there, not merely playing the notes, but understanding the vision. He takes some movements very briskly; others, he expands to a heavenly length.

Frequently, these earlier works of Beethoven are marginalized by his later, greater works; still, these pieces are works of pure art, and Gould sees this and brings them to vivid life.

About the sound: these tracks were recorded over a 15-year period. Sony has done a wonderful job with its "Super Bit Mapping" techne; still, there are a few quirks embedded in the recordings which cannot be removed: specifically, a little "ticking" from Gould's Steinway on the '60s tracks. At that time, Gould was tinkering with his piano to achieve a certain feel to the keys--a kind of immediacy and tactile ease of stroke--by removing the bushings which padded the key mechanism. As a result, he got the feel he wanted, but was also stuck with "ticking" keys. This doesn't bother me, as the results speak for themselves: an aesthetic vision of unparalleled ecstasy. Nevertheless, the "ticks" are audible sometimes: it's part of the art and vision.

no 'original intent'.......2004-05-02

Gould's interpretations compliment the complaints I've read, about 'original intent' by introducing his own - one that has worked itself thru the entirety of Modernism and that seems to have maintained momentum, even past death...into OUR present. The digits march to our more open sense of time - space is a suspension, like in a Ran Blake cd - these are Beethoven Sonatas that Babbitt or Bartok could have composed at a minimalist cafe`.

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas, Op. 12, Nos. 1-3

Average customer rating:

Performance is fine, but recording is off-balance
well worth your time and money
A Beethoven violin treasure!
Lively, energetic, and fun!

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas, Op. 12, Nos. 1-3

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas 4 & 10, etc.
Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Op. 30, Nos. 1-3
Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos. 5 "Spring" & 9 "Kreutzer"

ASIN: B0000013O8
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

Son No.1 in D, Op.12, No.1: Allegro Con Brio
Son No.1 in D, Op.12, No.1: Tema Con Variazioni
Son No.1 in D, Op.12, No.1: Rondo: Allegro
Son No.2 in A, Op.12, No.2: Allegro Vivace
Son No.2 in A, Op.12, No.2: Andante, Piu Tosto Allegretto
Son No.2 in A, Op.12, No.2: Allegro Piacevole
Son No.3 in E flat, Op.12, No.3: Allegro Con Spirito
Son No.3 in E flat, Op.12, No.3: Adagio Co Molt'espressione
Son No.3 in E flat, Op.12, No.3: Rondo: Allegro Molto

Customer Reviews:

Performance is fine, but recording is off-balance.......2007-07-09

I agree with the other Amazon reviewers who feel that the performances on this disc of early Beethoven violin sonatas by Nishizaki and Jando are outstanding. However, I have an issue with the recording. The piano is far forward in the recording relative to the violin, however the latter can clearly be heard in the background.

well worth your time and money.......2005-10-19

The early Beethoven on this CD is nice enjoyable music and it is well-played and recorded on this CD. These sonatas don't hit the highs of his later music but are still excellent. What a splendid deal at the naxos price as well.

A Beethoven violin treasure!.......2005-02-04

Over the years, I've heard many versions of Beethoven's Opus 12 violin sonatas and believe me, there is so much beauty and young power in these readings it blows the mind. The delicious sound that violinist, Takako Nishizaki brings to these early sonatas is just haunting. One of the finest (and underrated) violinists of our time, she makes an extraordinary case for her compelling ideas about these three sonatas. Her playing (intelligent, stimulating and spirited) is matched, and inspired by Jeno Jando's dramatic and expressive pianism.
Rather than be relegated into the background, he is her equal. There is never any sense of routine with these recordings and the sound quality is crystal clear and ravishing in its beauty. A perfect balance, the acoustic is spacious without clouding the focus. The performances are delightful in their fresh spontaneity.
For the record, the Penguin guide (a classical reference book) has rated this disc with three stars, which is summarized as an outstanding performance and recording in every way. A Naxos treasure!

Lively, energetic, and fun!.......2001-11-11

Nishizaki Takako delivers a spirited, lively, and peppy performance. She pairs very well with Jando, who also delivers the right light and spritely touch for these early (pre-sturm and drang), Beethoven pieces.

Nishizaki's renditions are an excellent and enjoyable way to round out your Beethoven repetoire and Nishizaki is a player to keep on your radar. Awarded 3 stars from the Penguin Guide to compact disks, beating out DG's more star-studded offering with Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Tracks:

Sonata No. 16 In G, Op. 31 No. 1: Allegro vivace
Sonata No. 16 In G, Op. 31 No. 1: Adagio grazioso
Sonata No. 16 In G, Op. 31 No. 1: Rondo: Allegretto
Sonata No. 17 In D Minor, Op. 31 No. 2 (The Tempest): Largo - Allegro
Sonata No. 17 In D Minor, Op. 31 No. 2 (The Tempest): Adagio
Sonata No. 17 In D Minor, Op. 31 No. 2 (The Tempest): Allegretto
Sonata No. 18 In E Flat, Op. 31 No. 3: Allegro
Sonata No. 18 In E Flat, Op. 31 No. 3: Scherzo: Allegretto vivace
Sonata No. 18 In E Flat, Op. 31 No. 3: Menuetto: Moderato e grazioso
Sonata No. 18 In E Flat, Op. 31 No. 3: Presto con fuoco

Customer Reviews:

Truly a master pianist........2007-07-06

I bought this CD because I fell in love with a performance of the Allegretto movement of Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 (The Tempest) that I heard in college. And, while that performance was moving, I found Brendel's rendition to be less personalized and rushed.

I understand that Alfred Brendel plays these sonatas as they were originally intended to be played by the composer, and that was one of major reasons that I purchased this CD. Once I listened to the "true" Allegretto movement, I respected Alfred Brendel even more because of his mastery of the tempo and subtle volume control required to play this sonata.

This movement procedes in hills and valleys of both tempo and volume, and the performance that I recollect from college consisted of high, peaked hills and long shallow valleys; however, in Brendel's performance there are frequent, rolling hills and subtle valleys that emphasize the sonority of more distinct measures.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2, 3
Ludwig van Beethoven , and Alfred Brendel
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000418N
Release Date: 1994-10-14

Tracks:

Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 1. Allegro
Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 2. Adagio
Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 3. Menuetto: Allegretto
Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 4. Prestissimo
Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 1. Allegro Vivace
Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 2. Largo Appassionato
Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 3. Scherzo: Allegretto
Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 4. Rondo: Grazioso
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op. 2 No. 3: 1. Allegro Con Brio
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op. 2 No. 3: 2. Adagio
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op. 2 No. 3: 3. Scherzo: Allegro
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op. 2 No. 3: 4. Allegro Assai

Beethoven: Sonatas for Cello & Piano Nos. 3, 4, 5

Average customer rating:

Great performances - wonderful CD
Terrible
Terrible

Beethoven: Sonatas for Cello & Piano Nos. 3, 4, 5

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000026YV
Release Date: 1992-07-28

Tracks:

Sonata No. 3 For Cello & Piano In A Major, Op. 69: I. Allegro ma non tanto
Sonata No. 3 For Cello & Piano In A Major, Op. 69: II. Scherzo. Allegro molto
Sonata No. 3 For Cello & Piano In A Major, Op. 69: III. Adagio cantabile - Allegro vivace
Sonata No. 4 For Cello & Piano In C Major, Op. 102, No. 1: I. Andante - Allegro vivace
Sonata No. 4 For Cello & Piano In C Major, Op. 102, No. 1: II. Adagio - Allegro vivace
Sonata No. 5 For Cello & Piano In D Major, Op. 102, No. 2: I. Allegro con brio
Sonata No. 5 For Cello & Piano In D Major, Op. 102, No. 2: II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto
Sonata No. 5 For Cello & Piano In D Major, Op. 102, No. 2: III. Allegro - Allegro fugato

Customer Reviews:

Great performances - wonderful CD.......2004-11-17

Just bought this last night and have listened to it three times already. I have same works played by Richter and Rostrapovitch, which is an excellent recording, but I have to say that Serkin and Casals play just wonderfully together, in perfect concert. Neither one dominates, and their timing is perfect.

I don't like to comment on other reviewers, but the sound on this recording is excellent. The recording was made in the 50's, so obviously it's not perfect, but I cannot hear any distracting pops and hisses; in fact compared with other "historical" recordings the sound is great.

Terrible.......2004-06-05

All tracks contain pops, clicks and hisses, and the overall quality sounds like something out of a 1940's radio. With so many distractions, its hard to focus on the performance. Don't believe me? Listen to the sample and i'm more then positive you will agree.

Terrible.......2004-06-05

The tracks contains pops, clicks and hisses, and the overall quality sounds like something out of a 1940's radio.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2 Nos. 1, 2 & 3

Manufacturer: Arabesque Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000T88
Release Date: 1993-08-11

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Cello Sonatas Nos. 1-5

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000041SD
Release Date: 1990-10-25

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