Concertos Sonatas & Suites for Trumpet & Organ

On this CD:

1. Te Deum, motet for 5 vocal soloists, chorus & orchestra, H. 146
Composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Performed by Graham Ashton, Leslie Pearson

2. Sonata for viola da gamba, violone, & continuo in D major, BuxWV 267
Composed by Dietrich [composer] Buxtehude
Performed by Graham Ashton, Leslie Pearson

3. Sonata for 2 trumpets in C major to music of Henry Purcell
Composed by Leslie Pearson
Performed by Graham Ashton, Leslie Pearson, Gerald Ruddock

4. Suite for trumpet & organ to music of J. S. Bach
Composed by Graham Ashton
Performed by Graham Ashton, Leslie Pearson

5. Flute Concerto ("La Notte"), for flute, strings & continuo in G minor, Op. 10/2, RV 439
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by Graham Ashton, Leslie Pearson

6. Concerto for trumpet & organ in D major
Composed by Giuseppe Romanino
Performed by Graham Ashton, Leslie Pearson

7. Concerto à cinque, for 2 solo violins, violin, viola, cello & continuo No. 11 in B-flat major, Op. 9/11, T. 9/11
Composed by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni
Performed by Graham Ashton, Leslie Pearson

8. Work(s) Water Music (unspec.) Suite in D major, arr. for trumpet & organ by Leslie Pearson
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Graham Ashton, Leslie Pearson, Gerald Ruddock

Tracks:

Suite In A Minor For Flute: Overture
Suite In A Minor For Flute: Les Plaisirs
Suite In A Minor For Flute: Air a l'italienne
Suite In A Minor For Flute: Menuets 1 & 2
Suite In A Minor For Flute: Rejouissance
Suite In A Minor For Flute: Passepieds 1 & 2
Suite In A Minor For Flute: Polonaise
Trumpet Concert In D: I: Largo
Trumpet Concert In D: II: Vivace
Trumpet Concert In D: III: Sicilienne
Trumpet Concert In D: IV: Vivace
Sonata In B Minor For 2 Flutes, Op.2 No.4: I: Largo - Vivace
Sonata In B Minor For 2 Flutes, Op.2 No.4: II: Grazioso - Allegro
Concerto In B Flat For 3 Oboes, 3 Violins & Basso Continuo: I: Allegro
Concerto In B Flat For 3 Oboes, 3 Violins & Basso Continuo: II: Largo
Concerto In B Flat For 3 Oboes, 3 Violins & Basso Continuo: III: Allegro
Canonic Sonata In G For Violins: I: Vivace
Canonic Sonata In G For Violins: II: Adagio
Canonic Sonata In G For Violins: III: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Average.......2007-05-08

The recording does not have the depth of sound that I was seeking. The selections are okay but could be better--however, this is only a preference. I more or less use the album as background music/noise; do not confuse Telemann with poor music but the recording, yes.

Fantastic!.......2005-02-05

In his day, George Philip Telemann was more popular than Bach. But, as a Telemann fan, I GREATLY enjoy this CD. Additionally, I especially like flutes and violins. The CD includes one of Telemann's best pieces, Suite in A minor for Flute (Suite a-moll) which is a wonderful delight. Telemann also composed concertos for trumpet and one is included here as well. If you haven't tried Telemann, this CD would be a good bet. It's quite versatile too--can be just listened to, used as background music, meditated to, etc.

Fine Collection of Baroque Concertos.......2004-02-16

Telemann certainly was a prolific composer. For some forty-six years he composed much for both church and court.

Composing so much, he understood well the capabilities of each instrument and composed much for each. Here, for flute, oboe and trumpet, as well as strings.

The trio for oboes is especially charming.

Excellent, a great find.......2002-08-01

I really enjoyed this CD because I couldn't find the Suite in a minor by Telemann, until now. A beautiful Rejouissance I must say. I would love to hear longer samples of all the classical music, because I appreciate it so much.

Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Concertos

Average customer rating:

The one collection I cannot imagine being without
MASTERY
Magisterial... mystical
Beethoven + Arrau = Divinity
Beethoven himself would be proud.

Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Concertos
Claudio Arrau , Janos Starker , Ludwig van Beethoven , Bernard Haitink , Eliahu Inbal , Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam , New Philharmonia Orchestra , and Henryk Szeryng
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Liszt: Piano Works
Chopin: The Piano Works
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier

ASIN: B00000C2F7
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 1 Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 2. Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 4. Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 2. Largo appassionato
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 3. Scherzo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 4. Rondo. Grazioso
Piano Sonata No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: 1. Allegro molto e con brio
Piano Sonata No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: 2. Adagio molto
Piano Sonata No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: 3. Finale. Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 19 In G Minor, Op. 49 No. 1: 1. Andante
Piano Sonata No. 19 In G Minor, Op. 49 No. 1: 2. Rondo. Allegro

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 2. Adagio
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 3. Scherzo. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 4. Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: 1. Allegro molto e con brio
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: 2. Largo, con gran espressione
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: 3. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: 4. Rondo. Poco allegretto e grazioso
6 Piano Veriations In F On An Original Theme, Op.34

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: 2. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: 3. Presto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: 1. Presto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: 2. Largo e mesto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: 3. Menuetto. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: 4. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': 1. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': 2. Adagio cantabile
Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': 3. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.2: 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.2: 2. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.2: 3. Rondo. Allegro comodo

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: 2. Andante
Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: 3. Scherzo. Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Falt, Op.22: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Falt, Op.22: 2. Adagio con molta espressione
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Falt, Op.22: 3. Minuetto
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Falt, Op.22: 4. Rondo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: 1. Andante con Variazioni
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: 2. Scherzo. Allegro molto
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: 3. Marcia Funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: 4. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: 1. Presto alla tedesca
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: 2. Andante
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: 3. Vivace

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1: 1. Andante - Allegro - Tempo I
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1: 2. Allegro molto e vivace
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1: 3. Adagio con espressione
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1: 4. Allegro vivace - Tempo I - Presto
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': 1. Adagio sostenuto
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': 2. Allegrettro
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': 3. Presto agitato
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': 2. Andante
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': 4. Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No. 22 In F, Op.54: 1. In Tempo d'un Menuetto
Piano Sonata No. 22 In F, Op.54: 2. Allegretto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: 2. Adagio grazioso
Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: 3. Rondo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'Tempest': 1. Largo - Allegro
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'Tempest': 2. Adagio
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'Tempest': 3. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 2. Scherzo. Alllegretto vivace
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 3. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 4. Presto con fuoco

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.21 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No.21 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': 2. Introduzione. Adagio molto - Rondo. Allegretto moderato - Prestissimo
15 Piano Variations And Fugue In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica' Variations: Inroduzione col Basso del Tema. Allegretto vivace
15 Piano Variations And Fugue In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica' Variations: Variazioni I-XV
15 Piano Variations And Fugue In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica' Variations: Finale. Alla Fuga. Allegro con brio - Andante con moto
32 Piano Variations In C Minor On An Original Theme, WoO 80
Rondo In G, Op.51 No.2

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': 1. Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': 2. Andante con moto
Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': 3. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 1. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 2. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 1. Das Lebewohl. Adagio - Allegro
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 2. Abwesenheit. Andante espressivo
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 3. Das Wiedersehn. Vivacissimamente
Piano Sonata No.27 In E Minor, Op.90: 1. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
Piano Sonata No.27 In E Minor, Op.90: 2. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen
Piano Sonata No.20 In G, Op.49 No.2: 1. Allegro, ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.20 In G, Op.49 No.2: 2. Tempo di Menuetto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: 1. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto, ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: 2. Lebhaft. Marschmassig. Vivace alla Marcia
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: 3. Langsam, und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: 4. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 2 Scherzo. Assai vivace - Presto - Prestissimo - Tempo I
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 3. Adagio sostenuto. Appassionato e con molto sentimento
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 4. Largo - Allegro risoluto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: 1. Vivave, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo - Tempo I -2. Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: 3. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung. Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo
Piano Sonata No.31 In A Flat, Op.110: 1. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
Piano Sonata No.31 In A Flat, Op.110: 2. Allegro molto
Piano Sonata No.31 In A Flat, Op.110: 3. Adagio ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.31 In A Flat, Op.110: 4. Fuga. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.32 In C Minor, Op111: 1. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato
Piano Sonata No.32 In C Minor, Op111: 2. Arietta. Adagio molto semplice e cantabile

Tracks:

33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Tema : Vivace - Variation I. Alla marcia maestoso
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation II Poco allegro
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation III L'istesso tempo
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation IV Un poco piu vivace
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation V Allegro vivace
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation VI Allegro ma non troppo e serioso
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation VII Un poco piu allegro
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation VIII Poco vivace
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation IX Allegro pesante e risoluto
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation X Presto
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XI Allegretto
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XII Un poco piu moto
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XIII Vivace
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XIV Grave e maestoso
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XV Presto scherzando
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XVI Allegro
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XVII
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XVIII Poco moderato
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XIX Presto
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XX Andante
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXI Allegro con brio - Meno allegro - Tempo I - Meno allegro
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXII Allegro molto alla 'Notte giorno faricar' di Mozart
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXIII Allegro assai
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXIV Fughetta. Andante
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXV Allegro
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXVI
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXVII Vivace
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXVIII Allegro
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXIX Adagio ma non troppo
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXX Andante sempre cantabile
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXXI Largo, molto espressivo
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXXII Fuga. Allegro - Poco adagio
33 Piano Variations In C On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Variation XXXIII Tempo di minuetto moderato

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.1 In C, Op. 15: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No.1 In C, Op. 15: 2. Largo
Piano Concerto No.1 In C, Op. 15: 3. Rondo. Allegro scherzando
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.19: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.19: 2. Adagio
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.19: 3. Rondo. Molto allegro

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37: 2. Largo
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37: 3. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 1. Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 2. Andante con moto
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 3. Rondo. Vivace

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 2. Adagio un poco mosso
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 3. Rondo. Allegro
Triple Concerto For Piano, Violin And Cello In C, Op.56: 1. Allegro
Triple Concerto For Piano, Violin And Cello In C, Op.56: 2. Largo
Triple Concerto For Piano, Violin And Cello In C, Op.56: 3. Rondo alla Polacca

Amazon.com

Claudio Arrau played with seriousness of purpose that could make other pianists seem like dilettantes and with respect for the composer's score that bordered on veneration. He had nothing but scorn for pianists who played the opening of Beethoven's Opus 111 with two hands instead of one because there were fewer risks. If something was technically difficult, Arrau assumed that the composer had written it that way because the difficulties had an expressive value that it was the interpreter's duty to find.

Arrau's devotion to Beethoven is memorialized by this budget-priced, 14-CD collection of his recordings, mostly from the 1960s, of the composer's 32 sonatas, five concertos (with Bernard Haitink conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam), and most important sets of variations. His Beethoven is not always successful. His sometimes ponderous seriousness keeps early works, such as the Sonata No. 3 and the Concerto No. 2, from smiling, and his lack of spontaneity makes the whimsy in Sonata No. 26 and the "Diabelli Variations" sound labored. But in the composer's weightiest works, Arrau can produce revelations. Certainly, no one plays Sonata No. 32 better. The first movement sounds like thunder that comes ever closer and the finale's chains of trills, played with exquisite finish and expressive perfection, transport the listener to a higher realm. If Arrau could be single-minded in his devotion to the composer's score, he also believed that music could encompass everything. When Arrau was at his best--as he frequently is in this set--it does. --Stephen Wigler

Customer Reviews:

The one collection I cannot imagine being without.......2007-01-30

It would be absurd to recommend recommending one Beethoven cycle to the exclusion of all others, yet it is Arrau's cycle to which I repeatedly return, despite some flaws mentioned by other reviewers.

They are flaws which can be forgiven. Scherzi which would be brimming with mirth & vitality in the hands of others may come up short, but it is more than compensated for by the revelations to be found as Arrau explores every aspect of Beethoven at his most profound. There always seems to be something new to be discovered. Flabby? It is hard to imagine how someone could come to this conclusion.

Even the sound quality for recordings dating back into the 1960's has been remastered so as to be acceptable to all but the most spoiled of listeners, who apparently are satisfied only with the most seamless homogenized studio sound. Those who can't get past the slightly imperfect sound quality are focusing on the wrong details.

If the greatness of the performance were not enough, the price should be enough to convince any serious music lover to add these to a CD collection. One cannot overstate how rewarding this collection will be to anyone who does not yet know the artistry of Arrau.

MASTERY.......2007-01-26

One man's viewpoint: Arrau amazes me as he sets the notes down with such clean deliberation! Total command. No matter how fast Beethoven is charging along. And as Arrau gets every note, we find the real Beethoven genius shining through - after all, as raw material, this is some of the finest piano music anywhere. Of course, this playing delivers passion and heart-and-soul communication too. And a sense of commitment and strength.
I suggest this set - with about nine stars! Mastery in art. *** For a lighter, more joyful touch - and great tone - ALSO get hold of O'Conor's set of the 32. I suggest this set - with about nine stars!

Magisterial... mystical.......2006-11-03

I've been listening to Beethoven's sonatas for fifty years and have heard all of them by some, and some of them by all the available recorded performers. Overall, Claudio Arrau is my favorite interpreter of the sonatas. To me he has an inner affinity with Beethoven that is uncanny. Beethoven was a man of great character. And that greatness, detached from his person in the form of musical ideas, enters the listener through intermediaries such as Arrau. When it is done right, it works a sort of righteous therapy, and makes the listener a better person for the hearing.

Arrau describes Beethoven's greatness in his essay "Thoughts on Beethoven" in the 33 1/3 Philips LP edition. "Beethoven has always stood for the spirit of man victorious. His message of endless stuggle concluding in the victory of renewal and spiritual rebirth...his life was an existential fight for survival...In the sense that he mastered both his life and his art to reach the ultimate heights of creation and transfiguration, he will last as long as man's spirit to prevail lasts on this earth." Part of the greatness of Beethoven's character came from his ability to be intimately close and at the same time at an infinite distance above his listener. Arrau possesses this same character, and his qualities as a man and artist are why he is able to so aptly render the greatness of Beethoven.

A book titled "Conversations with Arrau" was written by Joseph Horowitz to celebrate the artists's 80th birthday in 1982. I've only read the extracts published with the Philips edition, but there is enough information to get a feel for Arrau's character. He guarded the purity of his environment. He shunned parties and avoided small talk. He never drank or smoked, never learned to drive a car, boil an egg, or even operate a phonograph. His only hobby was gardening. Horowitz describes him as the embodiment of the nineteenth-century model of the artist as solitary, suffering hero. He was small (5'6") and frail, but in 1982 at age 80 he was still playing more that 70 concerts a season.

Rather than launch a discussion of his individual works (this has been done admirably by many of the reviewers) I will remark on just a few. I never properly appreciated the Fourth and the Seventh Sonatas until I heard Arrau's reading of these works. His Fourth takes 31 minutes, 30 seconds. Annie Fischer, another great interpreter of Beethoven, plays it in 27 minutes, 30 seconds. And Ms. Fischer does not play at a hurried tempo.

Yes, Arrau plays the sonatas at a slower tempo than any other interpreter. He also achieves a mystical quality in his interpretations that is unmatched. The second movement of the Seventh comes in at 10 min, 30 seconds. It is the greatest 10 1/2 minutes of piano music ever conceived. When interpreted by Arrau it becomes a microcosm of Beethoven's life and work. The second movement of the Appassionata is a sacred hymn.

Arrau's five piano concertos are splendid. I've heard no other renditions of the concertos with slow movements that equal Arrau's. No one plays the middle movements with his expressiveness and sense of the numinous. And his rendition of the "Eroica Variations" is on a par with the top few recordings of this piece.

If you have any interest in Beethoven, at whatever level, this bargain is outstanding.

Beethoven + Arrau = Divinity.......2006-10-29

If you love Beethoven, Arrau's interpretation will certainly be a joyful addition to your classical music collection. For me, his is the definitive Beethoven.

Though some will likely disagree, I have listened to many other great pianists' recordings of Beethoven sonatas, and they are great (don't get me wrong). Yet Arrau is unique in his ability to bring to light subtleties in the melodies that no one else can, and these often turn out to be the most enlightening and resonant of passages. His Op. 111 is indeed unparalleled, and his recording of the 2nd movement is one of my favorite pieces in the world. On top of that, his rendition of the Moonlight Sonata, his Waldstein, his Concertos, every recording on this boxed set is a testament to the depth Arrau worked diligently and consciously to achieve; depth that transcends technical showmanship and for the intuitive listener can certainly elicit fleeting glimpses of divine ecstasy.

At any price, it's a steal - beauty of this magnitude is all too rare.

Beethoven himself would be proud........2006-06-19

This is a masterpiece. Don't listen to the one negative review, as this guy is tone deaf. This compilation of Beethoven's music is a treasure to behold. A bargain at twice the price, this is well worth the money. Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

Beethoven: The Piano Concertos; 3 Sonatas

Average customer rating:

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Beethoven: The Piano Concertos; 3 Sonatas

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000E0LB8G
Release Date: 2006-04-11

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Brioi
II. Largo
III. Rondo: Allegro Scherzando
I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Adagio
III. Rondo: Molto Allegro
I. Adagio Sostenuto -
II. Allegretto & Trio
III. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Largo
III. Rondo: Allegro
I. Grave - Allegro Di Molto E Con Brio
II. Adagio Cantabile
III. Rondo: Allegro
I. Largo - Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegretto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Rondo: Vivace
I. Allegro
II. Adagio Un Poco Mosso -
III. Rondo: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Buy it Now.......2006-04-27

Universal deserves our thanks for making these seminal performances available once again, at mid-price and with the addition of three top drawer sonatas to boot. I own the fortepiano/period instrument cycles of Levin/Gardiner, Lubin/Hogwood, Newman/Simon and Tan/Norrington. The Lubin and Levin cycles are my favorites and I can't really decide which is better. Both are well played and conducted. Both also use different fortepianos to match the increasing demands Beethoven placed upon the instrument as the mechanical and range capabilities improved and his style matured. The orchestras are both colorful and handle their parts with aplomb - no sawing or scraping strings or squawking woodwinds here. The instruments reveal all sorts of wonderful details that tend to be swamped by modern strings.

I would have preferred the performers tackle the Choral Fantasy and the Triple Concerto as well when these were recorded, but the sonatas make a nice bonus.

With Levin/Gardiner increasing hard to find and commanding high prices on the used market, my advice is to snap this one up while its generally available. You won't be disappointed.

Liszt: The Piano Concertos, Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 10, 19, & 20

Average customer rating:

absolutely great
Go for a better recording!!
Definitive Performances of Liszt's Piano Concertos

Liszt: The Piano Concertos, Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 10, 19, & 20
Kirill Kondrashin
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

$9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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Liszt: Sonate h-moll; Ungarische Rhapsodie No. 6; Schumann: Sonate No. 2; Brahms: Rhapsodien op. 79
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Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 / Suite No. 2 for two pianos
Chopin, Liszt: Piano Concertos / Martha Argerich, London Symphony Orchestra

ASIN: B00005CCAD
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major: I. Allegro maestoso
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major: II. Quasi adagio
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major: III. Allegretto vivace
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major: IV. Allegro marziale animato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A Major: I. Adagio sostenuto assai - Allegro agitato assai
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A Major: II. Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A Major: III. Allegro deciso - Marziale un poco meno allegro
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A Major: IV. Allegro animato
Piano Sonata No. 10 In G Major, Op. 14 No. 2: I. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 10 In G Major, Op. 14 No. 2: II. Andante
Piano Sonata No. 10 In G Major, Op. 14 No. 2: III. Scherzo: Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No. 19 In G Minor, Op. 49 No. 1: I. Andante
Piano Sonata No. 19 In G Minor, Op. 49 No. 1: II. Rondo: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 20 In G Major, Op. 49 No. 2: I. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No. 20 In G Major, Op. 49 No. 2: II. Tempo di menuetto

Customer Reviews:

absolutely great.......2004-03-11

this is a very intense reading of the liszt piano concertos... not lacking in any respect... despite what an obviously biased reviewer said here... richter's reading of the three beethoven sonatas included here are also well worth the price on their own... in sum, must get!!

Go for a better recording!!.......2001-12-26

Having just received this CD today, I must admit I'm sorely disappointed after waiting so long for a supposedly great recording of the Liszt concertos. The problem with these is, despite earlier reviews, the quality of these recordings is not excellent. Anyone with a decent sound system will note the "hissing" background quality quite clearly. As a side note, I'm not too fond of Richter's interpretation in parts of this, especially the first movement of the first concerto. I advise anyone looking for a good copy of the Liszt concertos to go with the Zimerman performance. At the very least, if it must be Richter, buy the Richter copy with the Liszt Sonata instead of the Beethoven Sonatas. Though all is well technically on this CD, it just doesn't deliver.

Definitive Performances of Liszt's Piano Concertos.......2001-08-28

Richter's commanding performances of Liszt's piano concertos have been the benchmarks against which others are measured. These are demanding, technically difficult works; Richter's performances are riveting, dramatic traversals through these scores. And yet he manages to play with much empathy and warmth, without forsaking technical excellence. Kondrashin and the London Symphony Orchestra are fine accompanists, yet they can barely keep pace with Richter's playing. Philips' coupling of these concerti with several Beethoven piano sonatas is quite odd; one would have expected a more logical coupling would be with Richter's splendid account of Liszt's piano sonata. Yet his performances of these Beethoven piano sonatas are just as vibrant and warm as those of Liszt's piano concerti. Those interested in great performances of Liszt's and Beethoven's piano music by one of the legendary pianists of the 20th Century will not want to pass up this CD.

Average customer rating:

a nice introduction to the haydn piano works

Haydn: Piano Concertos/Piano Sonatas

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures

ASIN: B000059GRI
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Cantabile
III. Rondo: Presto
I. Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
I. Vivace
II. Un Poco Adagio
III. Rondo All'Ungherese: Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Variations In F Minor, Hob.XVII:6
I. Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Finale: Presto
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Finale: Presto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Molto

Customer Reviews:

a nice introduction to the haydn piano works.......2002-11-01

franz jospeh haydn was not a pianist, composing his works for the piano for the virtuosi around him, including many works for private buyers--remember in his day, women were not allowed to pursue professional music careers, so haydn had quite an "amateur" public to write for! the piano concertos are not the star here, even though they are wonderfully performed by mikhail pletnev and the deutsche kammerphilharmonie. the real reason to purchase this inexpensive twofer is the sampling haydn's piano sonatas. haydn wrote over 60 sonatas, and mr. pletnev has chosen three of the later ones for performance here. haydn's gift for exciting, yet moving composition is readily apparent here. this is music that holds your attention and leaves you hungry for more. truly exceptional!

Average customer rating:

1st rate Telemann, excellent, warm sound

Telemann: Overtures, Sonatas, Concertos

Manufacturer: MD&G Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Telemann: Overtures, Sonatas & Concertos
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Boccherini: Fandango, Sinfonie & La Musica Notturna di Madrid

ASIN: B0001ZWKQG
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

Largo
Allegro
Andante
Presto
Largo
Allegro
Grave
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro
Largo
Presto
Lento
Allegro
Largo
Allegro
Ouverture
Gavotte
Loure
Rejouissance
La Bravoure
Menuet I/II
Rodomontade

Customer Reviews:

1st rate Telemann, excellent, warm sound.......2006-02-12

It is a fair criticism of some period instrument recordings that the strings sound "edgy" or overly bright. Much as I enjoy Musica Antiqua Koln, for example, I don't think their sound, as represented by their recordings, is as flattering, or pleasant, as they sound live. It is indeed bright, and on the wrong hi-fi, edgy and wearing.

The German label MDG has been getting good press for their recording quality, and this recording is a great example of why that is so. It is one of the warmest and richest recordings of a period instrument group that I have heard. Happily, that group, Musica Alta Ripa, is first rate. It is a small ensemble--there are 11 players on this record, including a wonderful bassoon "guest" artist, and they utilize not only a harpsichord, but a theorbo or baroque guitar in the continuo part.

And how can you go wrong with Telemann? Most of this disc consists of music for strings (pleasantly interrupted by a concerto for recorder, bassoon and strings). It is as good a cross-section of Telemann's work as this listener has encountered, with the possible exception of the best of Telemann's Tafelmusic.

Strongly recommended, especially for listeners who have been disappointed by period performances in the past.