6 Bagatelles

On this CD:

1. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Falkenlied
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

2. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Falkenlied
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

3. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Der Ackermann
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

4. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Der Ackermann
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

5. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Capriccio
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

6. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Capriccio
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

7. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Irisches Lied
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

8. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Irisches Lied
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

9. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Perpetuum Mobile
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

10. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Perpetuum Mobile
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

11. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Finale
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

12. Bagatelles (6) for cello & double bass Finale
Composed by Harald Genzmer
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

13. Caprices (12), Op 7 No 11
Composed by Auguste Joseph Franchomme
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

14. Caprices (12), Op 7 No 11
Composed by Auguste Joseph Franchomme
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

15. Fantaisie
Composed by Mikhail Boukinik
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

16. Fantaisie
Composed by Mikhail Boukinik
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

17. Divertissements, Op 32 pour Jeunes Violoncellistes
Composed by Anton Lindner
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

18. Divertissements, Op 32 pour Jeunes Violoncellistes
Composed by Anton Lindner
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

19. Duo for cello and double bass in D major
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

20. Duo for cello and double bass in D major
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Odile Bourin, Bernard Cazauran

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In C Major, Op. 15: I. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No. 1 In C Major, Op. 15: II. Largo
Piano Concerto No. 1 In C Major, Op. 15: III. Rondo: Allegro
Six Bagatelles, Op. 126: I. Andante Con Moto, Cantabile E Compiacevole
Six Bagatelles, Op. 126: II. Allegro
Six Bagatelles, Op. 126: III. Andante, Cantabile E Grazioso
Six Bagatelles, Op. 126: IV. Presto
Six Bagatelles, Op. 126: V. Quasi Allegretto
Six Bagatelles, Op. 126: VI. Presto-Andante Amabile E Con Moto
Fur Elise

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37: I. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37: II. Largo
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37: III. Rondo: Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Major, Op. 58: I. Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Major, Op. 58: II. Andante con moto
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Major, Op. 58: III. Rondo: Vivace

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 5 In E Flat Major, Op. 73: I. Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 5 In E Flat Major, Op. 73: II. Adagio un poco mosso
Piano Concerto No. 5 In E Flat Major, Op. 73: III. Rondo: Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major, Op. 19: I. Allegro con brio
II. Adagio: 2. Adagio
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major, Op. 19: III. Rondo: Molto allegro

Amazon.com

Each of these performances has its own profile. The orchestra plays incisively in the First Concerto, but Ashkenazy's plush lyricism doesn't make a good match either with the orchestra or with the music, and he makes one weird ritard in the first movement. The Second Concerto is uneventful, rather bland and pleasant. The Third Concerto seems to be the best performance of the lot, with dramatic playing by soloist and orchestra, but it's sabotaged by blurry recorded sound, the only serious problem with sound quality in the entire set. The Fourth Concerto is enlivened, at least intellectually, by Solti's approach, constantly revealing interesting unfamiliar details in the orchestral score. Ashkenazy's detachment makes this a frosty but fascinating experience. The "Emperor" is a good routine performance, nothing special. The Bagatelles aren't much of a bonus, since they're rather dully played. (Why not the "Choral" Fantasy?) There's nothing actively bad about this set, and it's reasonably priced. But Beethoven deserves better, and gets it from many performers, including the fascinating Uchida-Sanderling collaborations. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

beethoven piano concerti.......2007-05-07

the article was in good condition and i had a smooth and prompt delivary

wished it was not a set.......2006-10-27

All I can comment right now, is the performance of the Beethoven piano concerto 1 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was poor. The playing was stiff, the orchestra was below what they should be. I thought I even heard some off key notes from the band! Disappointed. Maybe I am just so used to how Martha Argerich plays it... However the rest of the discs are fantastic, what a contrast!!!!!!

Wonderful set!.......2005-05-03

Ashkenazy is more sweet in his playing than profound, Solti and the CSO are on fire, and the Decca sound is excellent! Good job!

What is Ashkenazy up to?.......2004-05-16

After purchasing Ashkenazy's complete set of the Mozart concertos, I decided to get this one of the Beethoven concertos. Although some of the reviewers had voiced complaints about this set, I felt that it couldn't be that bad. Indeed, it's not that bad, but its not that good either.

To me, it seems as if Ashkenazy has no sense of style. His approaches to these concertos are more lyrical and romantic rather than classical. Take the first, for example. Ashkenazy treats the piano line as if he were playing Chopin. Solti, on the other hand, seems to feel that louder is better. Thus we have a very bizarre dialogue between piano and orchestra in the C major concerto. The second isn't much better. Although Ashkenazy gives a much better reading, Solti again feels that the CSO must play as forcefully as possible. The concerto is rather bland in the first place and Ashkenazy's approach is nothing special. The third concerto is wonderfully played by both Ashkenazy and the CSO. Ashkenazy treatment of the piano line is more classical while Solti's boisterous approach actually works in this powerful work. However, poor recording conditions (the evident hiss in the background) ruin the largo. The G major concerto is the most interesting in the set. Solti's treatment of the orchestra accompaniment is quite inspired - this is Solti at his most tender. However, Ashkenazy's icy interpretation is detached, it seems as if he and Solti are on two entirely different pages. Although the recording is remarkable in its beauty, Ashkenazy's lack of warmth leaves a chilling cloud over the performance. The fifth is nothing special. Solti is back to being loud and Ashkenazy gives a good, routine performance.

All in all, even at a budget price, this set is not highly recommended.

Beautiful, but not perfect.......2004-02-16

This is a good set of the piano concertos. However, the main problem is in the Fifth (Emperor): the second movement is extremely slow and faltering. This is one of the most beautiful pieces ever composed and the second movement MUST be perfect, as the version of Perahia: astonishing sensible, rhythmic.

Customer Reviews:

breakdown by cd........2007-01-14

CD1-7:SYMPHONIES 1-9

CD8:PIANO CONCERTO

CD9:VIOLIN CONCERTO & CELLO CONCERTO

CD10-11:REQUIEM

CD12-13:STABAT MATER

CD14:PIANO TRIOS OP.90 "DUMKY" & 21

CD15:PIANO TRIOS OP.65 & 26

CD16:PIANO QUARTETS

CD17:PIANO QUINTETS

CD18:STRING QUINTETS

CD19-20:MUSIC FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO

C21:SERENADE/HAUSMUSIK

CD22-31:THE COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS

CD32:SLAVONIC DANCES OP.46 & 72

CD33:PIANO DUET SLAVONIC DANCES

CD34:PIANO DUET LEGENDS FROM THE BOHEMIAN FOREST

CD35:PIANO WORKS

CD36-37:RUSALKA

CD38-40:SYMPHONIC POEMS

I'm not a music expert.......2005-08-25

I don't know too much about music. I own over 700 cds, but I don't play music and I don't have much experience with this music. My only point of reference was the ninth symphony, seeing as every other piece in this box set was new to me. It sounds fine, nothing wrong with it as far as I can see.

Now, here's what you'll get in this box set, seeing as Amazon does not give it a description. 40 cds! no joke, you get 40 cds in this box set. It features:
1. Complete symphonies
2. Complete symphonic poems
3. Cello concerto
4. Piano concerto
5. Violin concerto
6. Requiem
7. Stabat Mater
8. Slavonic Dances
9. Complete String quartets
10. Chamber music
11. Piano Works (solo and duet)
12. Rusalka

As far as I can tell, the only things missing are The Spectre's Bride and Jacobin. Seeing as it is 40 cds, i have not had an opportunity to listen to it, however what i have heard i have been quite satisfied with.

Average customer rating:

One of the best Sor compilations
The perfect player for this composer
Worth adding to the classical guitar collection
Excellent playing of less challenging Sor repertoire
Sor, Complete Guitar Music, Vol. 10

Sor: Complete Guitar Music, Vol. 10

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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:

Sor: Fantaisies / Progressive Studies
Sor: 24 Exercises, Op. 35; Pièces de Société, Op. 33
Sor: Complete Guitar Music Vol. 9
Jason Vieaux
Sor: Introduction & Variations, Opp. 26-28; Douze Etudes, Op. 29; Fantaisie et Variation Brillantes, Op. 30

ASIN: B00000DAJA
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Six Bagatelles, 'Mes Ennuis' Op. 43: Andante
Six Bagatelles, 'Mes Ennuis' Op. 43: Allegretto
Six Bagatelles, 'Mes Ennuis' Op. 43: Cantabile
Six Bagatelles, 'Mes Ennuis' Op. 43: Mazurka
Six Bagatelles, 'Mes Ennuis' Op. 43: Andante
Six Bagatelles, 'Mes Ennuis' Op. 43: Valse
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andante
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Allegretto
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andantino
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Allegretto moderato
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andantino
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Moderato
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andante allegro
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Allegretto
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andantino
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Allegretto
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andante
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andantino
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Allegretto
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Tempo di minuetto
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andante
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andante
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Cantabile
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Marche
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Allegretto
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andantino
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andante
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Andantino
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Allegro moderato
24 Pieces progressives, Op. 44: Valse
Six Pieces, 'Voyons si c'est ca' Op.45: Andantino
Six Pieces, 'Voyons si c'est ca' Op.45: Allegretto
Six Pieces, 'Voyons si c'est ca' Op.45: Theme and Variations
Six Pieces, 'Voyons si c'est ca' Op.45: Valse
Six Pieces, 'Voyons si c'est ca' Op.45: Andante
Six Pieces, 'Voyons si c'est ca' Op.45: Valse

Customer Reviews:

One of the best Sor compilations.......2007-03-29

Aspiring classical guitarists will find this CD extremely valuable in appreciating Sor's brilliance in composing, and Jason Vieaux's equal brilliance in interpreting these Sor pieces. Although technically the studies in Sor's Opus 44 range from beginner to intermediate in level of difficulty, there's something here for everyone. Beginners can learn just how beautiful the easier pieces can be when played well, and even advanced guitarists can benefit from Vieaux's interpretations. Sor's Opus 43 and 45 are also performed with great passion, making this CD one of the best Sor compilations for the study - and enjoyment - of classical guitar.

The perfect player for this composer.......2005-08-20

The number of classical guitarists who know how to play early 19th century music is vanishingly small. But in this underrated recording, Vieaux proves himself a happy exception. His approach is stylish and tasteful.

Though Spaniard Fernando Sor belongs to Beethoven's generation, he was musically a disciple of Haydn and Mozart. He set himself to raise the standard of music written for the guitar, composing works of richer and fuller harmonic interest than most of his contemporaries. Because of this, his music is deceptively difficult--it should sound easy, but most guitarists founder on the left hand changes and florid ornamentation. Vieaux makes no concession to these difficulties, and plays with lightness and grace.

Curiously, before Vieaux made this recording, he wasn't particularly excited over Sor. But this is a case in which the player found a composer congenial to his strengths and temperament. Vieaux has floated the idea of doing another all-Sor recording for his current label, Azica. If he does, it will show just how good Fernando Sor can be in hands of a sympathetic and imaginative artist.

Worth adding to the classical guitar collection.......2003-09-01

I bought this cd after hearing Jason Vieaux's amazing Naxos recording #553449 . That recording opened my eyes to the fact that classical guitar playing and composing is alive and well. Where as that recording was filled with adventurous compositions and guitar playing with a romantic flair, this Fernando Sor compilation seems quite subdued in comparison. The playing seems more conservative to fit with the spirit of these compositions. There's a simplicity to many of the compositions which I enjoy. Many of them have a meditative quality and a way of transporting me straight to Spain or Mexico to a small village where the beauty of simplicity in living is reflected by the music. Many of the pieces are short problems that Sor worked out for his pupils; so there isn't a great deal of depth in many of these works, but they are worth hearing nonetheless as played by a very talented classical-guitarist.

Excellent playing of less challenging Sor repertoire.......2003-08-18

Not the usual choice of pieces for a player of Jason Vieaux's calibre, but hearing the intermediate level exercises of Sor's Opus 44 played by him is a rewarding experience nonetheless. This also increased my appreciation for Sor's genius in composing relatively simple but listenable classical guitar compositions. Although not the most recorded pieces or the most memorable compositions of the greatest guitar composer ever, this CD is still worth listening to.

Recommended.

Sor, Complete Guitar Music, Vol. 10.......2002-09-12

Jason Vieaux presents these works by Sor with wonderful finesse, restraint and elegance. His technique is impeccable, but beyond that he has a clear understanding of the guitar music of the period and is therefore able to present on the modern guitar Sor's compositions in such a way that the listener can sense the care with which they were no doubt written. He neither overwhelms the studies of Op. 44 -- which many guitarists would consider beneath them in their simple demands, nor understates them. The temptation would have been to just toss them off, but Vieaux has clearly given each piece considerable thought. Possible the best I've heard Sor played, way better than the pedantic Segovia!

Average customer rating:

Thank You Boulez
5 Star music. Some very good performances, some are aimless.
not much more to be said
a transcendent masterpiece
Five stars and a bullet

Complete Webern
Anton von Webern , Clemens Hagen , David Finckel , Anton Webern , Pierre Boulez , Ensemble InterContemporain , Mary Ann McCormick , Berliner Philharmoniker , Eric Schneider , Gianluca Cascioli , Krystian Zimerman , Oleg Maisenberg , Pierre-Laurent Aimard , Christiane Oelze , Francoise Pollet , Lawrence Dutton , Gidon Kremer , and Philip Setzer
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Alban Berg Collection / Various (Coll)
Arnold Schoenberg: Chamber Music for Strings
Arnold Schoenberg: Serenade/Five Pieces For Orchestra
Schoenberg: Piano Concerto
Schoenberg: Piano Works

ASIN: B00004R9F0
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

Passacaglia For Orchestra Op. 1: Sehr massig, Tempo I - Massig bewegt, Tempo II - Sehr lebhaft, Tempo III
5 Movements Op. 5: I. Heftig bewegt
5 Movements Op. 5: II. Sehr langsam
5 Movements Op. 5: III. Sehr lebhaft
5 Movements Op. 5: IV. Sehr langsam
5 Movements Op. 5: V. In zarter Bewegung
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: I. Etwas bewegte Achtel
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: II. Bewegt
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: III. Zart bewegt
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: IV. Langsam. Marcia funebre
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: V. Sehr langsam
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: VI. Zart bewegt
2 Arrangements: J.S. Bach: Fuga (Ricercata) a 6 voci: Sehr massig
Franz Schubert: German Dances Op. Post. D 820: No. 1 - No. 2 (No. 1) - No. 3 ( No. 1) In A Flat Major
Franz Schubert: German Dances Op. Post. D 820: No. 4 - No. 5 (No. 4) - No. 6 (No. 4) In B Flat Major
Im Sommerwind - Idyll For Large Orchestra: Ruhig bewegt - Ruhig - Lustig - Schnell - Feierlich bewegt - Voll Schwung - Aufjauchzend - sehr ruhig und weihevoll

Tracks:

5 Pieces For Orchestra: I. Bewegt
5 Pieces For Orchestra: II. Langsam (sostenuto)
5 Pieces For Orchestra: III. Sehr bewegte Viertel
5 Pieces For Orchestra: IV. Langsame Viertel
5 Pieces For Orchestra: V. (Alla breve)
3 Orchestral Songs: I. Leise Dufte: 'Leise Dufte, Bluten so zart'
3 Orchestral Songs: II. Kunfttag III: 'Nun wird es wieder Lenz'
3 Orchestral Songs: III. 'O sanftes Gluhn der Berge'
Symphony Op. 21: I. Ruhig schreitend
Symphony Op. 21: II. Variationen: Thema. Sehr ruhig - Var. I. Lebhafter - Var. II Sehr lebhaft - Var. III. Wieder massiger - Var. IV. Ausserst ruhig - Var. V. Sehr lebhaft - Var. VI. Marschmassig. Nicht eilen - Var. VII. Etwas breiter - Coda
Das Augenlicht Op. 26: 'Durch unsre offnen Augen' - 'The Eyes Of Radiance' - Langsam
Cantata No. 1 Op. 29: I. 'Zundender Lichtblitz des Lebens' - Getragen - Lebhaft
Cantata No. 1 Op. 29: II. 'Kleiner Flugel Ahornsamen' - Leicht bewegt
Cantata No. 1 Op. 29: III. 'Tonen die seligen Saiten Apolls' - Ruhig
Variations For Orchestra Op. 30
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: I. 'Schweigt auch die Welt' - Sehr lebhaft - Ruhig
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: II. 'Sehr tief verhalten innerst Leben' - Sehr verhalten
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: III. 'Schopfen aus Brunnen des Himmels' - Sehr bewegt
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: IV. 'Leichteste Burden der Baume' - Sehr lebhaft
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: V. 'Freundselig ist das Wort' - Sehr massig
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: VI. 'Gelockert aus dem Schosse' - Sehr fliessend

Tracks:

Piano Quintet: Moderato
'Entflieht auf leichten Kahnen' op. 2: Zart bewegt
2 Lieder op. 8: I. 'Du, der ichs nicht sage'
2 Lieder op. 8: 'Du machst mich allein'
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: I. Sehr ruhig und zart
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: II. Leghaft und zart bewegt
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: III. Sehr langsam und ausserst ruhig
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: IV. Fliessend, ausserst zart
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: V. Sehr fliessend
4 Lieder op. 13: I. Wiese im Park: 'Wie wird mir zeitlos'
4 Lieder op. 13: II. Die Einsame: 'An dunkelblauem Himmel'
4 Lieder op. 13: III. In der Fremde: 'In fremden Lande lag ich'
4 Lieder op. 13: IV. Ein Winterabend: 'Wenn der Schnee ans Fenster fallt'
6 Lieder op. 14: I. Die Sonne: 'Taglich kommt die gelbe Sonne'
6 Lieder op. 14: II. Abendland I: 'Mond, als trate ein Totes'
6 Lieder op. 14: III. Abendland II: 'So leise sind die grunen Walder'
6 Lieder op. 14: IV. Abendland IV: 'Ihr grossen Stadte steinern aufgebaut'
6 Lieder op. 14: V. Nachts: 'Die Blaue meiner Augen'
6 Lieder op. 14: VI. Gesang einer gefangenen Amsel: 'Dunkler Odem im grunen Gezweig'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: I. 'Das Kreuz, das musst' er tragen'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: II. Morgenlied: 'Steht auf, ihr lieben Kinderlein'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: III. 'In Gottes Namen aufstehn'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: IV. 'Mein Weg geht jetzt voruber'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: V. 'Fahr hin, o Seel', zu deinem Gott'
5 Canons op. 16: I. 'Christus factus est'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: II. 'Dormi Jesu, mater ridet' From 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: III. 'Crux fidelis'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: IV. 'Asperges me, Domine'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: V. 'Crucem tuam adoramus, Domine'
3 Traditional Rymes op. 17: I. 'Armer Sunder, du'
3 Traditional Rymes op. 17: II. 'Liebste Jungfrau, wir sind dein'
3 Traditional Rymes op. 17: III. 'Heiland, unsre Missetaten'
3 Lieder for voice, E flat clarinet and guitar op. 18: I. 'Schatzerl klein'
3 Lieder for voice, E flat clarinet and guitar op. 18: II. Erlosung: 'Mein Kind, sieh an' From 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn'
3 Lieder for voice, E flat clarinet and guitar op. 18: III. 'Ave , Regina coelorum'
2 Lieder op. 19 for mixed choir: I. 'Wiess wie Lilien'
2 Lieder op. 19 for mixed choir: II. 'Ziehn die Schafe'
Quartet op. 22: I. Sehr massig
Quartet op. 22: II. Sehr schwungvall
Concerto op. 24: I. Etwas lebhaft
Concerto op. 24: II. Sehr schwungvoll
Concerto op. 24: III. Sehr rasch

Tracks:

3 Poems: I. Vorfruhling: 'Leise tritt auf...'
3 Poems: II. Nachtgebet der Braut: 'O mein Geliebter'
3 Poems: III. Fromm: 'Der Mond scheint auf mein Lager'
8 Early Lieder: I. Tief von fern: 'Aus des Abends weissen Wagen'
8 Early Lieder: II. Aufblick: 'Uber unsre Liebe hangt eine Trauerweide'
8 Early Lieder: III. Bleuengruss: 'Der Strauss, den ich gepflucket'
8 Early Lieder: IV. Bild der Liebe: 'Von Wald umgeben'
8 Early Lieder: V. Sommerbend: 'Du Sommerbend! Heilig, goldnes Licht!'
8 Early Lieder: VI. Heiter: 'Mein Herz ist wie ein See so weit'
8 Early Lieder: VII. Der Tod: 'Ach, es ist do dunkel in des Todes Kammer'
8 Early Lieder: VIII. Heimgang in der Fruhe: 'In der Dammerung'
3 Lieder on poems by Ferdinand Avenarius: I. Gefunden: 'Nun wir uns lieben, rauscht mein stolzes Gluck'
3 Lieder on poems by Ferdinand Avenarius: II. Gebet: 'Ertrage du's, lass schneiden dir den Schmerz'
3 Lieder on poems by Ferdinand Avenarius: III. Greunde: 'Schmerze und Freuden reift jede Stunde'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: I. Ideale Landschaft: 'Du hattest einen Glanz auf deiner Stirn'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: II. Am Ufer: 'Die Wlet verstummt, dein Blut erklingt'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: III. Himmelfahrt: 'Schwebst du nieder aus den Weiten'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: IV. Nachtliche Scheu: 'Zaghaft vom Gewolk ins Land'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: V. Helle Nacht: 'Weich kusst die Zweige der weisse Mond'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: I. 'Dies ist ein lied'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: II. ''Im windes-weben'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: III. 'An baches ranft'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: IV. 'Im morgen-taun'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: V. 'Kahl reckt der baum'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: I. Eingang: 'Welt der gestalten lang lebewohl!'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: II. Noch zwingt mich treue uber dir zu wachen'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: III. 'Ja heil und dank dir'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: IV. 'So ich traurig bin'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: V. 'Ihr tratet zu dem herde'
4 Lieder on poems by Stefan George: I. 'Erwachen aus dem tiefsten traumes-schoosse'
4 Lieder on poems by Stefan George: II. Kunfttag I: 'Dem bist du kind, dem freund'
4 Lieder on poems by Stefan George: III. Trauer I: 'So wart bis ich dies dir noch kunde'
4 Lieder on poems by Stefan George: IV. 'Das lockere saatgefilde lechzet krank'
4 Lieder op. 12: I. 'Der Tag ist vergangen' - Folksong
4 Lieder op. 12: II. Die geheimnisvolle Flote: 'An einem Abend, da die Blumen dufteten' - Li-Tai-Po
4 Lieder op. 12: III. 'Schien mir's, als ich sah die Sonne' - 'Gespenstersonate'
4 Lieder op. 12: IV. Gleich und gleich: 'Ein Blumenglockchen'
3 Songs From 'Viae inviae' by HildegardJone op. 23: I. 'Das dunkle Herz, das in sich lauscht'
3 Songs From 'Viae inviae' by HildegardJone op. 23: II. Es sturzt aus Hohen Frische'
3 Songs From 'Viae inviae' by HildegardJone op. 23: III. Herr Jesus mein'
3 Lieder on poems by Hildegard Jone op. 25: I. 'Wie bein ich froh!'
3 Lieder on poems by Hildegard Jone op. 25: II. 'Des Herzens Purpurvogel fliegt durch Nacht'
3 Lieder on poems by Hildegard Jone op. 25: III. 'Sterne, ihr silbernen Bienen der Nacht'

Tracks:

Slow Movement For String Quartet: Langsam, mit bewegtem Ausdruck
5 Movements For String Quartet: I. Heftig bewegt
5 Movements For String Quartet: II. Sehr langsam
5 Movements For String Quartet: III. Sehr bewegt
5 Movements For String Quartet: IV. Sehr langsam
5 Movements For String Quartet: V. In zarter Bewegung
String Quartet
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: I. Massig
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: II. Leicht bewegt
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: III. Ziemlich fliessend
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: IV. Sehr langsam
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: V. Ausserst langsam
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: VI. Fliessend
Rondo For String Quartet: Bewegt
Movement For String Trio op. post.: Ruhig fliessend
3 Pieces For String Quartet: I. Bewegt
3 Pieces For String Quartet: II. Langsam: Grief Always; Looking Upward; Heaven's Dew; Memory; Black Flowers; On Breast; Out Of Mother
3 Pieces For String Quartet: III. Nicht zu langsam
String Trio op. 20: I. Sehr langsam
String Trio op. 20: II. Sehr getragen und ausdrucksvoll
String Quartet op. 28: I. Massig
String Quartet op. 28: II. Gemachlich - Bewegt
String Quartet op. 28: III. Sehr fliessend

Tracks:

2 Pieces For Cello And Piano: I. Langsam
2 Pieces For Cello And Piano: II. Langsam
Movement For Piano: Lebhaft
Sonata Movement (Rondo) For Piano: (Bewegt) - Ruhig bewegt - Sehr ruhig
4 Pieces For Violin And Piano op. 7: I. Sehr langsam
4 Pieces For Violin And Piano op. 7: II. Rasch
4 Pieces For Violin And Piano op. 7: III. Sehr langsam
4 Pieces For Violin And Piano op. 7: IV. Bewegt
3 Little Pieces For Cello And Piano op. 11: I. Massige
3 Little Pieces For Cello And Piano op. 11: II. Sehr bewegt
3 Little Pieces For Cello And Piano op. 11: III. Ausserst ruhig
Cello Sonata: Sehr bewegt
Children's Piece For Piano: Lieblich
Piano Piece: Im Tempo eines Menuetts
Variations For Piano op. 27: I. Sehr massig
Variations For Piano op. 27: II. Sehr schnell
Variations For Piano op. 27: III. Ruhig fleissend

Amazon.com

Pierre Boulez's Complete Webern Edition appears just over two decades after his last traversal. Well, it's not literally complete, but does have enough early works to set the mature ones in the right context. These days, Webern is no longer seen so much as a new music guru as he is a major composer, pure and simple--his expression as concise as it is intense. Performancewise, there's a quality of musicianship here that few previous recordings have matched; familiarity with the idiom certainly plays its part, but so does Boulez's belief that what we're hearing needs to be presented with conviction. Try the Passacaglia, sensuous music that combines the soundworld of Brahms and Mahler, or the string quartet or orchestra pieces--miniatures in duration, but whole dramas of expression.

Ease of performance doesn't always make this music easy to come to grips with: the song cycles need several listenings to grasp the meaning behind the compression, while the later instrumental and choral works have a luminous austerity that looks back to Bach and beyond to Renaissance masters such as Schütz and Isaac. While much of Webern's music has long been admired, only now is it becoming possible to respond to it through the heart as well as the brain. This set, superbly packaged and comprehensively documented, marks a major step forward, and deserves investigating by anyone keen to appreciate something of the music's quiet, calm essence in an often strident, dislocated century. --Richard Whitehouse

Customer Reviews:

Thank You Boulez.......2001-10-23

If you are a fan of the "New Vienna School" (Schoenberg, Berg, Webern) or 20th century "classical" or "serious" music, this disk set is very rewarding. Beautifully recorded and packaged, and with equally good liner notes, it is a treat to strap on the headphones and listen.

I debated between buying this or Boulez's older Webern set and went with this one. There is much more music on this set because pieces without opus numbers are included. They lend a lot of insight into his "published" works. I also went with this set because it is a modern digital recording, the previous set being from the early 70's. I will often side with a classic recording when needed-performance over sound. Here, I'm happy to report, the listener gets both. Every detail is captured.

Thank you very much Pierre Boulez and DG for making this project happen. Please keep the Schoenberg and Berg disks coming. And thank you Anton Webern for continually opening my ears.

5 Star music. Some very good performances, some are aimless........2001-08-25

Webern's music demonstrates a level of craft, in which few composers ever contend. The more that I listen to the works of Webern, the more I hear that each note must be just as it is. There is nothing wasted in this music. The expression is never vague, always intense. I do admire the works of many modern composers, but few are so discerning and meticulous in their works. Webern's craft is equal with the greats of music history; Guillarme de Machaut, Carlo Gesualdo, Claudio Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Franz Joseph Haydn, Ludwig Beethoven. He is a towering figure. The music that is played here is first rate. However, I have not yet heard performances of many of his works that bring out everything that Webern's music has to offer. For example, the Op. 27 Piano Variations are seldom done justice. All of the movements are given `circa' tempo indications, but many take the movements much slower or faster than indicated. Unfortunately, on this recording the fast movement is slow and the slow movements fast. Presumably the slower tempo in the fast movement would allow for more accurate interpretation of the frequent changes between piano and forte. The problem is that the F's typically don't fade away fast enough and drown out the P's. The other option is to make the P's a little bit more like mezzo forte's. The recording that Pollini did of the work on Deutsche Gramaphon with the Boulez 2nd Sonata manages to reconcile the dynamics with the tempo. However, what I have not heard with the work is the full impact of the affect in the work. What the Pollini performance fails in is the coldness of the interpretation. For those interested, I believe that DG is currently putting out the Pollini performance with Stravinsky's Petruska and a Prokofiev sonata at a fairly low price. This recording brings together several performances of more `high profile' ensembles than the older recording on Sony, which mostly featured performances of musicians from Juilliard. The performances are often more colorful, but I can't say that I always think they surpass their predecessors. The interpretations of the works are a little bit `hit and miss.' The ensembles that Boulez conducts tend to bring out the same sorts of things in the works that the previous ensembles did with the last `complete Webern.' This is good in places; I appreciate the more resonant quality that the recent recording equipment affords, and Boulez conducts a comparable performance of the orchestral works such as the `Symphonie.' The recording of the `Konzert' for nine instruments is good. The performances of the early expressionist works, such as the `Five Orchestral Pieces,' are powerful. Boulez is less afraid to see the human in Webern and let the shocked silences speak. Furthermore, the peaks are less harsh, allowing more of the subtle affects to become visible. Some of the performances just lack a certain power of expression that the previous `complete webern' had; a viscerally that the strength of the `Webern - Vogue' afforded them. The musicians that played the previous complete were looking at Webern as a giant, they are young and virile performances. These performances sometimes view Webern as a curiosity, a historical anachronism, the way that your grandfather will tell you a strange story, of which he himself doesn't understand the point, but he relates as a bit of curio. All in all, I wouldn't say that this set of recordings is the final word on the majority of Webern's works. Many of the performances in the previous set are just as good, but neither do those constantly surpass these performances. Both have their faults. The previous set tended to be cold and more aggressive than was necessary in places. The new set tends to wander at times, as if the performer does not understand the point. It's always difficult to sum up a complete works set for a prospective buyer. Just as in `complete works' of Bach sets that I own, the performances are not always amazing. However, the strength of the compositions often overcomes my desire for a strong performance, and I'm just glad that I have a recording of someone performing that Bach work that I want to hear. Here, similarly, the performances aren't always the best, but there is a wider range of Webern's ouvre represented and many of the performances are quite good. I suppose my counsel would be that one should consider the price of this set vs. the older sony set. The sony set is less complete, but it does include all of the really monolithic, profound Webern works. You also get a view of the younger, romantic Webern in this new set, in addition to better sound quality. Certain performances are better in each set, and so you'll get some good and some bad in either choice. For those that already have a strong taste for Webern's music, try this set. For those who are looking for a starting place, you might try the sony set. The highlights of this set are the Boulez orchestral performances. He has honed his vision for Webern since the last set and they are `worth the price.' For those further exploring Webern, those performances should be heard.

not much more to be said.......2001-08-01

... i could be extremely nit-picky, and complain about the solo piano pieces, and their performer's occasional humming, and the baffling ordering of the quartet disc, and the discrepencies in the translations of the booklet, and how the english left out any explanation of sator arepo etc..., yet the french seems to, and all the little tiny errors, in the booklet... but... these are all moot points when any of the performances are heard. it brings to light all facets of the composer, so he no longer seems ascetic and overly intellectual, just check out the highly romantic string quartet op. 28, and variations for orchestra, yes even the solo piano pieces with the humming. all in all, a very enlightening experience.

a transcendent masterpiece.......2000-07-17

The performances here are absolutely brilliant.

Nuance, detail, sensitivity.

This is not merely music, this is magic!

Five stars and a bullet.......2000-06-13

Pierre Boulez, the enfant not-very-terrible-any-more of French music, has surpassed himself. Twenty-two years ago, CBS released his Complete Works of Anton Webern, and it's remained the definitive Webern collection. Until, as they say in movie trailers, now.

This consists of the three Webern albums Boulez has recorded for DG over the past five years or so, plus everything else Webern ever wrote. It thus scores straightaway over the earlier CBS/Sony set, which was restricted to works that had opus numbers and filled three CDs. This one includes the charming early songs, the equally early "Im Sommerwind" for orchestra and a number of posthumous and otherwise non-Opus works that didn't make it onto the earlier set. Webern is a composer whose entire output takes about six hours to listen to in its entirety, and it's all here, on six CDs.

That's fine; is it any good? Well, it's digitally recorded, and if ever a composer was born for CD, it's Webern. The pianissimos are more ppp than ever, thanks to better recording techniques. Boulez himself has also unbuttoned a bit. His earlier set, recorded between 1967 and 1972, was high on austerity and, if it fell down at all, did so on emotion. The older Boulez (he's 75 this year) is more relaxed about letting tuttis blare and climaxes, well, climax. The result is both as intellectually satisfying as we've come to expect from Boulez, and warmly expressive; in general, a more moving and less didactic set of recordings than the previous lot. And all the better for it, as far as this composer (and this listener) is concerned.

There are many benefits of a digital set, not the least being the better registration of timbral variety, which Webern (as is well known) made into a compositional principle. Even those allergic to twelve-tone music can't help but be ravished by the intricate sweetness of his arrangement of the Bach six-part fugue from the "Musical Offering". The arrangement of Schubert's German Dances has been re-recorded, and can be heard now in all its sprightliness. (The CBS/Sony set has an archive recording conducted by Webern himself in the thirties, but dodgy sound quality prevented it from shining forth properly, despite Webern's witty conducting.)

Amazon.com

Sàndor, still active at 90 as this reissue appears, was a student of Bartók and a preferred interpreter of his music. Since this set appeared on nine LPs in the early 1960s, it has been the standard for Bartók's piano music; in this fine-sounding reissue, it still is. Sàndor can hit hard enough for such virtuoso pieces as the Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors," but he also retains the romantic element heard in the composer's own playing which tempers the harsher qualities of the music. While this collection isn't quite as complete as advertised (some early, insignificant piano music by Bartók is omitted), it includes all of Bartók's significant piano music, including such relatively obscure gems as the Bagatelles, eight Improvisations, and many delectable folk arrangements which will appeal even to listeners who think Bartók is too challenging for them. Vox's recorded sound, superbly remastered, resists obsolescence as effectively as Sàndor's performances. Even with the inclusion of the early books of "Mikrokosmos," which will appeal mostly to piano students, this set is worth several times the asking price. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Microcosmos.......2007-03-08

Sándor was a champion not only of Bartók's music but also of Bartók's style of playing. He often complained that people were too quick to see Bartók as ultra-modern, and to fail to appreciate the rich seam of lyricism that also runs through his music.

The piano music is dominated by short pieces, many of them written for piano students, notably the collections "Microcosmos" and "For Children". These, together with suites of folk dance arrangements, make up the bulk of the solo piano output.

Sandór plays these short, and often simple pieces, with neither too much nor too little art. As a gifted teacher, he knew unerringly how much music each of these small vessels held. The result is beguiling - but be warned: no-one can listen to the 153 short pieces of Microcosmos end-to-end. This is an anthology to be dipped into, not swallowed whole.

The remastering is pretty successful (fortunately - some of Vox's CD reissues are plagued by severe deterioration of the original tapes). And it's for half nothing-what's not to like?

Great value with a few flaws.......2006-07-28

I am not a Bartok expert by any scale, but I do like the way these pieces, without exception, are played. There are, however, a couple of other problems.

As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, very few of the works are split into tracks - Mikrokosmos is divided into 7 for each of its six volumes, and to accomodate for a full CD. In these seven tracks there are 121 songs. I would have much preferred if the songs had been split into tracks. Almost the entire CD set is this way - Fifteen Hungarian Songs is one track, Fourteen Bagatelles, etc. It is very annoying when one wants to hear a particular song in those tracks and not the others.

Another detriment to the collection is the recording quality. It is decent most of the time, but in loud sections the piano buzzes. One might be able to ignore it, but I think that it detracts from the passion of the forte quite a bit.

Overall, for $18 it is pretty decent, but if you are like me and like to keep your music library neatly organized (and aren't extremely cheap), I would not recommend this set.

eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much.......2006-07-25

I like the fact that Bartok is into the folk tradition and all, but he just tends to forget the fact that melody has to be SOMEWHERE in the music. I'm all for creative expression when you're sitting alone at the piano, but abstract music should be reserved for performance art. I like playing some of your stuff Bela, but I just don't want to listen to you.

Best classical value out there.......2005-10-05

To put this set in perspective, for months I would go to my local Tower Records fishing for worthwhile classical CDs at least once a week. One of the discs that sat in the bins the longest was a single CD of Bartok piano music, played by Zoltan Kocsis. It was Volume 7 of a complete series. This CD listed for $17.99, and as long as I went to that Tower Records, it did not budge an inch, nor was its price amended.

Now, Kocsis is one of the greatest pianists alive, and if anyone is worthy of commanding a premium, it is him. And to be fair, that CD is going to be re-released on October 11 as part of a Collector's Edition - eight CDs, $63.97 MSRP. But it's already going up against this little gem, which contains five CDs with all of the truly great solo-piano works by an internationally recognized Bartok specialist for $21 - not much more than the cost of one CD from the other set. This kind of value is not to be taken lightly.

I came to this set with my impression of Sandor informed by his complete Prokofiev - ultra-hard, sometimes rhythmically slack, always melodically lacking in some way or another. But he held a very special feeling for Bartok, and saved his best playing for the great Hungarian. In passages like the first of the Three Csik Dances, the opening of the Improvisations Op. 20, or in the Ten Easy Pieces, there is a simplicity, charm and wistful homesickness that is quite touching. In pieces like the Out of Doors suite, the Sonata, or the Burlesques, there is a vicious, impulsive energy, a wicked sense of humor and an overabundance of overtones. It is never mindless, inappropriate or even overly harsh - it's just very, very loud.

In this set I like best the endless landscape of the Sonatina, the unusual colors and fragrances in the Etudes, the brilliantly conceived Bear Dance (the last of the Ten Easy Pieces), and the multifaceted, complex, gorgeous Improvisations. Any fan of Bartok should hear these.

5 Stars for the music and performance.......2005-04-04

This is a fantastic deal, but the problem with this Collection stems from the fact that the pieces are often not separated by tracks. This is especially annoying for the Children's Pieces and Mikrokosmos. There are so many pieces, one wears out the fast forward button and still may miss the particular piece one is looking for. The booklet is fairly insightful, and the performer is widely hailed as the supreme interpreter of Bartok's piano music. So aside from this slightly annoying at times and ridiculously annoying at other times flaw, this is one of the best deals in Classical music. Don't hesitate. Add it to the cart.

Beethoven: Piano Concertos #1-5 by Melvyn Tan, Roger Norrington, London Classical Players

Average customer rating:

Well worth owning
Excellent, but....
A Great Recording at a Great Price

Beethoven: Piano Concertos #1-5 by Melvyn Tan, Roger Norrington, London Classical Players

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Etc
Mozart - Requiem / Kirkby · Watkinson · Rolfe Johnson · D. Thomas · AAM · Hogwood
Dvorák: The Symphonies
Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies

ASIN: B000090WCD
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

I Allegro Con Brio
II Adagio
III Rondo (Molto Allegro)
I Allegro Con Brio
II Largo
Rondo (Allegro Scherzando)

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
II Largo
III Rondo (Allegro)
I Allegro Moderato
II Andante Con Moto
III Rondo (Vivace)

Tracks:

I Allegro
II Adagio Un Poco Mosso
III Rondo (Allegro)
A Adagio - Finale: Allegro - Meno Allegro - Allegro Molto
B Adagio, Ma Non Troppo - Marcia, Assai Vivace
C Allegro - Allegretto, Ma Non Troppo (Quasi Andante Con Moto) - Presto

Tracks:

7 Variations On 'God Save The King' WoO 78
I Andante Grazioso, Quasi Allegretto
II Scherzo (Allegro)
III Allegretto
IV Andante
V Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
VI Allegretto Quasi Andante
VII Presto
Fantasie Op. 77
I Allegretto
II Andante Con Moto
III A L'allemande
IV Andante Cantabile
V Risoluto
VI Andante
VII Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
VIII Moderato Cantabile
IX Vivace Moderato
X Allegramente
XI Andante, Ma Non Troppo
I Andante Con Moto
II Allegro
III Andante
IV Presto
V Quasi Allegretto
VI Presto - Andante Amabile E Con Moto - Tempo I
5 Variations On 'Rule Britannia' WoO 79

Customer Reviews:

Well worth owning.......2007-05-10

Melvyn Tan is a superb player, and Norrington (I think) conducts Beethoven appropriately, which means with great feeling and sensitivity, but without syrupy melodrama. This fine recording shows both at their best. But for the life of me, I don't know why they didn't move the mike a little closer to the fortepiano. It's just a little too low in the mix. Fortepianos - good ones - aren't mousy little music boxes. They aren't Bosendorfers, but they can sure hold up their end of the deal. Here, the instrument is just a little too soft. Other than that, it's a spendid recording. And the addition of a "recital" of several of Beethoven's solo piano works on (one of his many) original pianos is a real plus.

Excellent, but...........2005-11-02

I agree with the other reviewer concerning the merits of pianist Melvyn Tan performing the complete Beethoven piano concerti accompanied by Sir Roger Norrington and the London Classical Players. My only reservation is that his fortepiano is overwhelmed by the orchestral accompaniment most of the time. It just seems jarring to hear tinkling notes emitting from Tan's fortepiano only to be answered with gale-force volume blasting from the orchestra in return. Perhaps if smaller orchestral forces had been used along with some restraint, or better miking of the soloist, I would have awarded this set 5 stars. Still, since fortepiano renditions of these masterworks are rare, this is a valuable and worthy edition to any music library.

A Great Recording at a Great Price.......2005-04-13

Melvyn Tan teams with Sir Roger Norrington in an historic recording of the Beethoven Piano Concerto cycle, with a few excellent bonuses thrown in. Few players can equal Tan on the pianoforte, though he no longer plays it exclusively in concert these days. In 1995 he switched over to the modern piano, which he now plays the majority of the time in recital.

Tan and Norrington were/are a natural pairing. Norrington was at the forefront of bringing period instruments and arrangements back into the concert halls of Europe and America.

The tonality of the concertos definitely does sound different than when played on modern instruments with their greater sonority. The effect here is more muted and sedate. This is especially true in Concerto #2, which always struck me as having a more classical feel to it than #1, even.

The interplay and timing between the London Classical Players and Tan is flawless throughout the set. While there may not be many "fireworks" here, there are no discernable missteps either (at least to this untrained ear).

I would suggest that all Beethoven lovers and collectors snatch this CD set up, quickly, while the price is still right. It really represents an abundance of listening pleasure at a price I would expect to pay for one concerto CD.

Highly Recommended.

BEK

Average customer rating:

Never call them trifles!
Excellent on all counts
Poor compared to Brendel's earlier recordings of the same
Sensitive renditions of Beethoven at his most personal
Okay

Beethoven: Bagatelles

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Diabelli-Variationen
Beethoven: Variations & Vignettes
Haydn: 11 Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Diabelli Variations

ASIN: B0000041MM
Release Date: 1997-11-25

Tracks:

7 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 33: I. Andante grazioso, quasi Allegretto
7 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 33: II. Scherzo. Allegro
7 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 33: III. Allegretto
7 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 33: IV. Andante
7 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 33: V. Allegro, ma non troppo
7 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 33: VI. Allegretto quasi andante
7 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 33: VII. Presto
Rondo No. 1 In C, Op. 5, No. 1
Allegreto In C Minor, WoO 53
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: I. Allegretto
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: II. Andante con moto
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: III. A l'allemande
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: IV. Andante cantabile
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: V. Risoluto
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: VI. Andante - Allegretto leggiermente
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: VII. Allegro ma non troppo
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: VIII. Moderato cantabile
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: IX. Vivace moderato
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: X. Allegramente
11 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 119: XI. Andante, m non troppo
6 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 126: I. Andante con moto
6 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 126: II. Allegro
6 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 126: III. Andante
6 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 126: IV. Presto
6 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 126: V. Quasi allegretto
6 Bagatelles For Piano, Op. 126: VI. Presto - Andante amabile e con moto
Klavierst B-Flat, WoO 60
Bagatelle In A Minor, WoO 59

Customer Reviews:

Never call them trifles!.......2006-12-27

In addition to his 32 sonatas, astonishing "Diabelli Variations," and 5 concertos with orchestra, Beethoven also composed a series of smaller pieces he called "bagatelles." The name, which more or less designates a little nothing, a bit of whimsy or fluff, scarcely designates the imaginative and emotional content that Beethoven often invested in these little works. Many were studies for other pieces, or ways of trying out ideas before developing them in larger works. Listening to Alfred Brendel play these works is revelatory: he convinces you that these short works are perhaps the most profound things that Beethoven ever penned. He knows them intimately, having edited some for the Wiener Urtext Edition of Beethoven's works. Yet while he brings these pieces a sense of gravitas, he never forgets that brevity is the soul of wit. In short, this disk lets you enjoy Beethoven's final works for his own instrument played with as close to perfection as you're going to get.

Excellent on all counts.......2004-11-11

I am dismayed by the unfavorable reviews that this CD has received on this page. Not only is this the best single-disc recording of Beethoven's marvelous bagatelles, but it is also -- given the choice of repertoire, the performance, and the quality of the recording -- one of the best discs of solo piano music that I've had the pleasure of hearing.

Leery of all the hype and accolades, I've steered clear of Alfred Brendel until now. This is in fact my very first Brendel disc. Brendel is always described as an "intellectual" artist, which I interpreted as meaning that possibly his tone, technique, or pianistic finish were lacking -- nothing could be further from the truth! Brendel's tone is fabulously attractive, without having quite the voluptuous, glistening sheen that, say, Murray Perahia has (and which makes Perahia's recordings of Beethoven's sonatas a bit hard to swallow). Even better, Brendel gives each piece a strong structural and melodic profile; his sense of rhythm and line are faultless. Best of all, Brendel is not afraid to characterize the music strongly (yet tastefully, of course) -- unlike, say, Richard Goode, who strikes me as an often anonymous Beethoven interpreter.

This CD would be an excellent gift for a classical "newbie" -- the music is instantly appealing and melodically memorable. I've played it every evening for a week and have caught myself humming it at work! If anything, Brendel's ravishing playing in the last track, the famous "Fur Elise," will have listeners playing the disc repeatedly.

I am so taken with this disc that I am trying to decide between buying Brendel's 7-disc, digital set of Schubert's mature piano music (it's listed in the 2003/4 Penguin Guide -- search Amazon for ASIN B00000E48F in the Search box near the top of this page) or his digital cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas (it's included in the Gramophone guide -- search Amazon for ASIN B0000041DZ). Regardless, I have already ordered his Philips recordings of the Diabelli variations (in both the Penguin and Gramophone guides -- search for ASIN B00000412C) and the Eroica variations (search for ASIN B0000040WH), which together with the present disc will make a very neat 3-disc set of Beethoven's major solo piano music other than the sonatas.

In sum, I'm delighted to have finally made Brendel's acquaintance, and I relish the prospect of hearing Brendel's Schubert and Beethoven sonata cycles. Evidently, Brendel has generated hype and garnered accolades for a good reason (not always the case) -- he deserves it!

*About ASINs* Just FYI, you can use the ASIN to find a particular CD on Amazon.com (or on any of Amazon's international sites). An ASIN is Amazon's own inventory number -- every CD has a unique ASIN, which appears under "Product Details." Simply copy the ASIN and then paste it in the Search box near the top of this page. When you click "Go!" the CD will be returned as the *only* search result and its page will appear.

Poor compared to Brendel's earlier recordings of the same.......2004-04-17

If you've never heard the Bagatelles, they are a trove of delights, done in the sentimental vein of the Pastoral symphony.

Having grown up with a scratchy record I once had of the young Alfred Brendel playing the Bagatelles, I am a true affecionado of his charming, simple (in the good sense) interpretations. As another reviewer before me said, other interpreters tend to be too egocentric in their approaches.

Yet upon hearing the very first bagatelle on this CD, I knew something was very amiss. This is not Brendel as I remember him!
It turns out that this is not Brendel's first recording of the bagatelles. I'm sorry I cannot tell you what date the recordings I used to have were from, but I have learned that Brendel recorded the bagatelles as early as the 60's.

Basically, these new recording (done in the 90's) has sadly lost a great deal of the early recording's brilliance, snappiness, and wit. Brendel sounds indifferent and it seems even as though his strength has debilitated.
To boot, the sound engineering is bad. The piano never sounds 'there', dynamics as I said are monotone, and you can hear Brendel humming regularly.

Sensitive renditions of Beethoven at his most personal.......2003-07-04

Listening to this CD, it is quite easy to conjure up a picture of Beethoven playing at home, by himself, for himself. These pieces are among his most intimate and this recording gives the feeling of eavesdropping outside the composer's open window (something he never tolerated, by the way!). Many of the bagatelles are such gems that one can only regret that LvB didn't do more with them.

If you are one of those people who think Beethoven only wrote loud and bombastic music, listening to this recording will immediately dispel any such nonsense.

This recording is also Brendel at his best. Understated and elegant, he lets the music speak for itself. None of the regrettable -- and regrettably common -- fireworks or idiosyncratic interpretations that tend to mar Beethoven recordings by, say, the likes of Bernstein, Gould and Kovacevich.

The previous reviewer is simply wrong. This is an incredible recording that impresses me more with each playing.

Okay.......2003-06-23

He's an okay player and this recording is also mediocre. But if your just an amateur classical music listener then it's a good performance. Otherwise if your listening to improve your piano, choose another cd.

Beethoven: Bagatelles and Dances, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Great "lost" Beethoven...

Beethoven: Bagatelles and Dances, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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: Bagatelles & Dances, Vol. 3
Beethoven: Bagatelles and Dances, Vol. 1
Beethoven: Bagatelles
Beethoven: Chamber Music for Horns, Wind & Strings
Beethoven: Eroica-Variations

ASIN: B00003OSUP
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Fant, Op.77
Twelve German Dances, WoO 13
Seven Contredanses, WoO 14
Six Ecossaises, WoO 83
Menuett in E flat, WoO 82
Allegretto in c, Hess 69
Polonaise in C, Op.89
Bagatelle in C, 'Lustig-Trautig', WoO 54
Rondo in C, WoO 48
Prld in f, WoO 55
Two Prlds, Op.39
Fugue in C, Hess 64
Concert Finale in C, Hess 65

Customer Reviews:

Great "lost" Beethoven..........2002-06-06

Whether it's rock and roll, classical, jazz, or any type of music, I always find some of my favorite works in a composer's "B-side" stuff, items that aren't always the best known pieces in their repetoire. And that's what I've found here. So these are not even near "trifles." There's plenty of melody, drama, and humor--the same as in all of LVB's compositions.

Tracks:

Bagatelle In C Minor WoO 52: Presto
No. 1 In E Flat Major: Andante Grazioso, Quasi Allegretto
No. 2 In C Major: Scherzo Allegro
No. 3 In F Major: Allegretto
No. 4 In A Major: Andate
No. 5 In C Major: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
No. 6 In D Major: Allegretto Quasi Andante
No. 7 In A Flat Major: Presto
Bagatelle In C Major, WoO 56: Allegretto
No. 1 In G Minor: Allegretto
No. 2 In C Major: Andante Con Moto
No. 3 In D Major: A L'Allemande
No. 4 In A Major: Andante Cantabile
No. 5 In C Minor: Risoluto
No. 6 In G Major: Andante - Allegro
No. 7 In C Major: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
No. 8 In C Major: Moderato Cantabile
No. 9 In A Minor: Vivace Moderato
No. 10 In A Major: Allegramente
No. 11 In B Flat Major: Andante, Ma Non Troppo
No. 1 In G Major: Andante Con Moto
No. 2 In G Minor: Allegro
No. 3 In E Flat Major: Andante
No. 4 In B Minor: Presto
No. 5 In G Major: Quasi Allegretto
No. 6 In E Flat Major: Presto - Andante Amabile E Con Moto - Tempo I

Amazon.com

These 26 "nuggets of momentary inspiration," written at various times from Beethoven's teenage years to his later maturity, show incredible variety of mood, inventiveness, and technical complexity. John O'Conor, one of the world's premier Beethoven interpreters, takes us on a thoroughly splendid adventure, revealing these pieces as far more than the "trifles" that some pianists mistake them for. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Everything but Fur Elise.......2002-03-20

Let's face it. Beethoven's bagatelles are not the brooding, electric show-pieces as are his sonotas. They are 180 degrees different: delightfully light-hearted and free-spirited. They are so delicate that, except for the technique, you wouldn't think they sprung from the agitated mind of Beethoven. The lovely, but ubiquitous, Fur Elise is not among this set. That's fine with me, but if you like the playful, tender style of Fur Elise, then the 26 pieces found here will be right up your alley. Telarc has always been exceptional when capturing the piano on disc. O'conor's light touch gives the bagatelles the appropriate weight and he breezes through them like the wind through the leaves. This collection is one of my favorite piano recordings. Rather like champagne bubbles, these pieces gently tickle your senses.

Average customer rating:

A great Cd
Good Kronos Stuff
An Eclectic Mix

Kronos Quartet : Winter Was Hard
Aulis Sallinen , Terry Riley , Arvo Part , Anton Webern , John Zorn , John Lurie , Astor Piazzolla , Alfred Schnittke , Samuel Barber , Anonymous , Hank Dutt , David Harrington , Joan Jeanrenaud , John Sherba , Earl L. Miller , Christian Marclay , Ohta Hiromi , and Kronos Quartet
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet: At The Grave of Richard Wagner
Kronos Caravan
Black Angels
Nuevo

ASIN: B000005IZ0
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Winter Was Hard Op. 20
Half-Wolf Dances Mad In Moonlight
Frates
Six Bagatelles Op. 9
Forbidden Fruit
Bella By Barlight
Four, For Tango
Quartet No. 3
Adagio
A Door Is Ajar

Customer Reviews:

A great Cd.......2002-09-23

I think this album should recieve 5 stars. I think this because Forbidden Fruit by Zorn is a great piece of music which everyone should be familiar with. He quotes some great stuff in the work...among other things an excerpt from Beethoven's Grosse Fugue for String quartet. The rest of the music on this CD is fantastic. I feel the reviewer below gave three stars due to a inability to understand Zorn. But if you don't fall under that category or if you are willing to listen and be openminded I reccomend this CD without reserve

Good Kronos Stuff.......2002-06-24

This album was my introduction to the Kronos Quartet. It is as good an introduction as I've heard. It illustrates both the positive and negative aspects of this talented quartet.

Some of the works on this recording are quite wonderful. Most exciting to me is the excerpt from Terry Riley's Salome Dances for Piece. The movement is exciting and stunningly played. It is also interesting to compare the version here with the version on the Kronos' recording of the complete work. If you listen to them side by side you can hear the extent of improvisation in the work. The most interesting thing is that, despite the improvisations, the work has a similar impact in each version.

Other gems on the CD include the Salonen title track, the Piazolla pieces, and a passionate reading of the Barber Adagio, perhaps the best I've ever heard. The Kronos also does a fine job with the Webern, though the competition here is much more fierce. And they also do a great job with the Schnittke Quartet, though I have always found the Russian composer's work hard to get close to.

Some of the other pieces are less successful. The quartet version of the Part Fratres is not bad, but does not have the impact of the all cello version. The Jon Lurie piece is a throwaway. And I have never understood the world's fascination with John Zorn. Just don't get it.

All in all, this is a good introduction to the work of the Kronos and most interesting for an alternate version of a major score by Terry Riley. But it's not a must have.

An Eclectic Mix.......1998-09-23

This is a terrific CD. From Webern to John Lurie, to John Zorn's wild "Forbidden Fruit," to a stunning rendition of Barber's Adagio in it's original String Quartet form, this album rocks. Okay, probably not the most appropriate description of a string quartet album, but it does--it rocks. I think this is my favorite recording of the Barber Adagio. Some challenging pieces, but for anyone that loves contemporary classical music, this is a great set.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Recommended Music:

The Girl That God Forgot

Rite of Spring

Strauss With Ocean Sounds

Music: Raga Gorakh Kalyan

Sounds of Horror

Pa' Que Dentre [Import]

Stolen Generation [Import]

The Best of the Beta Band

So Glad You Made It [Import]

Stingray [Import]

Swing: Official History of New Orleans Jazz 1917-1 [Import]

Subaru [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Stomp [EP]

Classical Music classical-music-21

Magnolia: Music from the Motion Picture