Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 11, 13, 14 "Moonlight", 19, 20

On this CD:

1. Piano Sonata No. 19 in G minor, Op. 49/1 No 10 in G minor ( No 1 of Op 14)
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Melvyn Tan

2. Piano Sonata No. 20 in G major, Op. 49/2
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Melvyn Tan

3. Piano Sonata No. 11 in B flat major, Op. 22
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Melvyn Tan

4. Piano Sonata No. 13 in E flat major ("Quasi una fantasia") Op. 27/1
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Melvyn Tan

5. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor ("Moonlight"), Op. 27/2
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Melvyn Tan

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 11, 13, 14 "Moonlight", 19, 20, Music, Ludwig van Beethoven, Derek Adlam, Melvyn Tan, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Keyboard, Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard

Beethoven: Sonatas Op 13 'Pathetique', Op 14 Nos 1 & 2, Op 22 (Complete Works for Solo Piano Vol 1) /Brautigam
Average customer rating:

Wonderful playing on a superb instrument

Yes, it's THAT good!

Beginning of a fabulous Beethovven Sonata cycle?

Heralding a breakthrough series of Beethoven keyboard wks

Beethoven: Sonatas Op 13 'Pathetique', Op 14 Nos 1 & 2, Op 22 (Complete Works for Solo Piano Vol 1) /Brautigam
Ludwig van Beethoven , and Ronald Brautigam
Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: Complete Sonatas & Variations [Hybrid SACD]

Mahler: Symphony No. 6; Piano Quartet [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B00066K0HQ
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful playing on a superb instrument.......2005-07-01

I debated for a long time before buying this SACD - simply because while I had appreciated other fortepiano recordings I owned, they never replaced recordings on a modern grand piano. Also, of course, I had other versions of these works, particularly the Pathetique.

Still within a few bars of this excellent recording, my fears were banished. The fortepiano Brautigam used (a copy of an original) is one hell of an instrument: no tinkly passagework or lack of sustaining power here. In fact the crushing chord which opens the Pathetique (and reappears later) has more impact in this reading than in virtually any other I've heard.

To be honest I'm amazed this thin-legged instrument featured in the booklet can produce such powerful sounds - or survive such playing! The bass response is remarkable, which coupled with Brautigam's phenomenal articulation (particularly of ornaments which emerge with great clarity) and his urgent tempi makes this a really dramatic performance which I would put near, if not at, the top of my favourite Beethoven sonata recordings. Wisely Brautigam adots a fairly flowing tempo for the Adagio Cantabile as this is one area of keyboard playing where the modern piano has the edge.

A word about the sound quality - it's superb in multichannel. Incredibly vivid sound, with the fortepiano placed securely on a perfectly realistic soundstage. Rear channel use is ideal, securing the aural image. As I've mentioned, the bass is perfectly focused, adding real weight to the interpretations. The detail in the mid- and high-registers is also wonderful.

The two op.14 sonatas on the disc are slighter works but given excellent performances - I don't know them as well as the final work, the Sonata No.11 op.22. This is one of my favourites, especially for its amusing theme and variations finale, which here is played rather more dramatically than usual. Richard Goode's performance on Nonesuch has been my benchmark for a few years, but Brautigam is nearly as good (if you'll excuse the pun) - occasionally his non-legato phrasing compromises the droll elegance, though the dramatic interludes in this finale come across more vividly to even things out.

I'd give this a very strong recommendation, and I'll certainly be buying subsequent volumes (the second one is released in August).

If you have worries about the sound of the fortepiano, my advice is don't be concerned, this instrument sounds full and impressive. With Brautigam's virtuosic and thoroughly Beethovenian performances one really hears what early audiences must have experienced with the composer at the keyboard.

Yes, it's THAT good!.......2005-06-08

Another recording of the Beethoven piano sonatas? Well, it had better be pretty special, and have something new to say. And this indeed is an outstanding recording in every way. Fabulous sound quality. Excellent choice of instrument - a fortepiano, yes, but one with incredible range and tone. The ear quickly adjusts to the sound, and the performance is so good you almost forget you are listening to a "period" instrument (actually, it's a modern fortepiano). The performance is exciting, dynamic, emotionally involving, intellectually stimulating...yes, it's THAT good! Buy this disc! Even better than Brautigam's outstanding Haydn and Mozart cycles.

Beginning of a fabulous Beethovven Sonata cycle?.......2005-05-25

This is the only fortepiano recording of Beethoven's music I have ever heard that to me conveys the full power, drama, and clarity of Beethoven's groundbreaking achievements. This is a full range piano sound, just not the sound of the modern concert grand. The playing is absolutely outstanding and I will eagerly anticipate each volume in this cycle, and hope that the concertos will also be forthcoming. A revelatory experience not to be missed!

Heralding a breakthrough series of Beethoven keyboard wks.......2005-05-17

After the first 30 seconds of the op 13 sonata, anyone holding onto the idea that the fortepiano is too lightweight to do justice to Beethoven's mighty sonatas must either repent or leave the room. Ronald Brautigam has once again embarked on a series of solo keyboard recordings in repertoire crowded with classic perfomrances from world famous artists; but, of course, Brautigam uses period instruments.

First, it was a Mozart cycle on BIS that brought Brautigam into the limelight. Before that series was even finished, a Haydn cycle was undertaken. Both series exhibit a tremendous virtuosity while dispelling misconceptions about the potential range of expression from a fortepiano. Brautigam's readings challenge such well known stars as Brendel, Barenboim, Gieseking, Uchida, and more.

But who would expect that Brautigam could approach the genius of a Schnabel, Brendel, Pollini, Gilels, Kempff, Rubinstein, or hordes of other legends whose names have graced dozens of outstanding recorded performances over the decades, and on a fortepiano at that. Make no mistake about it, I do not suggest that Brautigam surpasses any of these hall-of-fame artists, but he certainly joins them.

The first work on this disk, the "Pathetique", speaks well for the remainder of the four sonatas represented here, and hopefully for the rest of the series too. The first movement has incredible dynamic range. Hearing the recording for the first time, I was overwhelmed by the impact of some of the climaxes. Comparing the reading to conventional intrument recordings, I am reminded of being at the top of 13,000 foot high Mount Shasta many years ago. It was breathtaking, but because all of the surrounding hills were so high also, the effect bore no comparison to some overlooks around Death Valley, where 10,000+ high peaks rise up over a valley that is below sea level. With the instrument Brautigam uses in this recording, the quiet passages are like the low points in Death Valley with the climaxes being like the 10,000 foot peaks around the rim of Death Valley. And the effect is magnificent. In the slow movement, Brautigam has even more expressive abilities at his fingertips, capturing the quiet sublimity of Beethoven's textures with much more breadth than would be possible on a modern piano. And the fast rhythms of the finale dance with great excitement.

As always, BIS excels in the recording with awesome accoustics. And, for no extra charge, you get this in a hybrid CD that can be played on a normal CD player, but will yield even finer results on an SACD player if you have/get one.

Lets hope BIS can stay with the series until it finishes. Many record companies have pulled the plugs on long series in recent years. BIS has yet to do so with any of their spectacular complete editions. Keep up the good work, BIS.

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 13, Op. 14 Nos. 1 & 2 & Op. 22

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 13, Op. 14 Nos. 1 & 2 & Op. 22

Manufacturer: Arabesque Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000T8J
Release Date: 1994-04-26

Beethoven ~ Die Klaviersonaten ~ The Piano Sonatas ~ Les Sonates pour Piano Nos. 1-15 ~ Barenboim

Average customer rating:

Beethoven ~ Die Klaviersonaten ~ The Piano Sonatas ~ Les Sonates pour Piano Nos. 1-15 ~ Barenboim

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001G5E
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Sonate No. 1 F-moll op.2 No1: Allegro
Sonate No. 1 F-moll op.2 No1: Adaigo
Sonate No. 1 F-moll op.2 No1: Meunetto - Allegretto
Sonate No. 1 F-moll op.2 No.1: Prestissimo
Sonate No. 2 A-dur op.2 No.2: Allegro Vivance
Sonate No. 2 A-dur op.2 No.2: Largo Appassionato
Sonate No. 2 A-dur op.2 No.2: Scherzo - Allegretto
Sonate No. 2 A-dur op.2 No.2: Rondo - Granzioso

Tracks:

Sonate No.3 C-dur op.2 No.3: Allegro con brio
Sonate No.3 C-dur op.2 No.3: Adaigo
Sonate No.3 C-dur op.2 No.3: Schoerzo. Allegro
Sonate No.3 C-dur op.2 No.3: Allegro assai
Sonate No. 4 Es-dup op.6: Allegro molto e con brio
Sonate No. 4 Es-dup op.6: Largo, con gran espessione
Sonate No. 4 Es-dup op.6: Allegro
Sonate No. 4 Es-dup op.6: Rondo. Poco allegretto e grazioso

Tracks:

Sonate no. 5 c-moll op.10 No. 1: Allegro molto e con brio
Sonate no. 5 c-moll op.10 No. 1: Adaigo molto
Sonate no. 5 c-moll op.10 No. 1: Finale. Prestissimo
Sonate no. 6 F-dur op.10 No.2: Allegro
Sonate no. 6 F-dur op.10 No.2: Allegretto
Sonate no. 6 F-dur op.10 No.2: Presto
Sonate No. 7 D-dur op.10 No.3: Presto
Sonate No. 7 D-dur op.10 No.3: Largo e mesto
Sonate No. 7 D-dur op.10 No.3: Menuetto. Allegro
Sonate No. 7 D-dur op.10 No.3: Rondo. Allegro

Tracks:

Sonate No.8 c-moll op.13 - Pathetique: Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
Sonate No.8 c-moll op.13 - Pathetique: Adaigo cantabile
Sonate No.8 c-moll op.13 - Pathetique: Rondo. Allegro
Sonate No.9 E-dur op.14 No.1: Allegro
Sonate No.9 E-dur op.14 No.1: Allegretto
Sonate No.9 E-dur op.14 No.1: Rondo. Allegro comodo
Sonate No.10 G-dur op.14 No.2: Allegro
Sonate No.10 G-dur op.14 No.2: Andante
Sonate No.10 G-dur op.14 No.2: Scherzo. Allegro assi

Tracks:

Sonte No.11 B-dur op.22: Allegro con brio
Sonte No.11 B-dur op.22: Adaigo con molta espressione
Sonte No.11 B-dur op.22: Menuetto
Sonte No.11 B-dur op.22: Rondo. Allegretto
Sonate No. 12 As-dur op.26: Andante con Variazioni
Sonate No. 12 As-dur op.26: Scherzo. Allegro molto
Sonate No. 12 As-dur op.26: Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe
Sonate No. 12 As-dur op.26: Allegro

Tracks:

Sonate No. 13 Es-dur op.27 No.1: Andante - Allegro - Tempo I - Attacca
Sonate No. 13 Es-dur op.27 No.1: Allegro molto e vivance - Attacca
Sonate No. 13 Es-dur op.27 No.1: Adaigo con espressione - attacca
Sonate No. 13 Es-dur op.27 No.1: Allegro vivance
Sonate No. 14 cis-moll op. 27 No. 2: Adagio sostenuto - attacca
Sonate No. 14 cis-moll op. 27 No. 2: Allegretto - attacca
Sonate No. 14 cis-moll op. 27 No. 2: Presto agitato
Sonate No.15 D-dur op.28: Allegro
Sonate No.15 D-dur op.28: Andante
Sonate No.15 D-dur op.28: Scherzo. Allegro vivace
Sonate No.15 D-dur op.28: Rondo. Allegro, ma non troppo

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 11, 13, 14 "Moonlight", 19, 20

Average customer rating:

Acquired taste, fine engineering

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 11, 13, 14 "Moonlight", 19, 20

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000006L7W
Release Date: 1996-02-13

Tracks:

Pno Son No.19 in g, Op.49 No.1: I. Andante
Pno Son No.19 in g, Op.49 No.1: II. Rondo: Allegro
Pno Son No.20 in G, Op.49 No.2: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Pno Son No.20 in G, Op.49 No.2: II. Tempo Di Menuetto
Pno Son No.11 in B flat, Op.22: I. Allegro Con Brio
Pno Son No.11 in B flat, Op.22: II. Adagio Con Molta Espressione
Pno Son No.11 in B flat, Op.22: III. Menuetto
Pno Son No.11 in B flat, Op.22: IV. Rondo: Allegretto
Pno Son No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1: I. Andante - Allegro - Tempo I -
Pno Son No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1: II. Allegro Molto E Vivace
Pno Son No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1: III. Adagio Con Espressione
Pno Son No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1: IV. Allegro Vivace - Presto
Pno Son No.14 in c, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': I. Adagio Sostenuto -
Pno Son No.14 in c, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': II. Allegretto
Pno Son No.14 in c, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': III. Presto Agitato

Customer Reviews:

Acquired taste, fine engineering.......2004-10-09

Melvyn Tan recorded these five Beethoven sonatas at Forde Abbey, England, in September 1993, using two slightly different fortepianos. For the two short sonatas numbered 19 and 20 (but which actually originated some time during the 1790's) he played a copy of a fortepiano by Anton Walter, for the 'Moonlight' and the other two longer sonatas he made use of a copy after Nannette Streicher; both copies are by Derek Adlam. The fortepiano sound is something of an acquired taste, being not only softer than today's instruments, but also rather 'wooden' (the instruments are made almost entirely of wood), and there is a certain amount of mechanical noise to be heard. Perhaps this is why one German critic reacted very negatively to this CD, but personally I have enjoyed listening to it very much, especially as the engineering is extremely well done. Perhaps the opening short sonatas and then Sonata No. 11 impressed me most, both from the point of view of sound and of playing. Sonata No. 13 seems a little pale in comparison, whereas the 'Moonlight' is put in a rather different interpretative light by Jeremy Siepmann's comment that the first movement should be understood as a dirge and not as a romantic evocation; Tan meets every requirement, but there is quite a lot of mechanical noise to be heard on this most famous of all Beethoven's piano sonatas.