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29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's All Here, and Then Some: A Romantic Feast, March 19, 2007
This review is from: Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas; Bagatelles Op. 119, Op. 126 [Box Set] (Audio CD)
After growing familiar with Brendel's early set and many versions by Richter, Backhaus, Dochnanyi, Horowitz, Serkin, Ashkenazy, Kempff, Schnabel, Pollini, Rosen, Uchida and Gould, I decided I wanted a new set of all 32 sonatas. I listened and read reviews for over a year, gathering impressions of Barenboim, Arrau, Schnabel, Jando, Kovacevich, Goode, and more impressions of those I already knew - Ashkenazy, Kempff, Brendel and Backhaus. Beethoven is my favorite composer. Though I am delighted by "cornerstone" interpretations, I value an undistracting technique and good recorded sound.
Ultimately, I decided it was between Goode and Kovacevich. I listened to the excerpts on this website and chose. When the package arrived, I felt I had erred: I should have gotten Richard Goode's set. Nevertheless, I opened it and the die was cast. Kovacevich (nee Bishop) has been a constant source of wonder. These are stunning, insightful recordings that no excerpting on a computer can do justice. The criticism that all the sonatas are played the same way in this set is simply unjustified. I felt some of that when I listened to the little snatches available online, but when I took the time to play these at home on a good stereo, it was a completely different story. I was astonished and delighted. Every time I play one of these pieces, I feel I am hearing something totally new, but intelligently conceived and emotionally authentic and fulfilling. And he plays well! The first night, I stayed up late listening to four of these CDs in a row, all the way through. I still do that, but less now as I need the sleep. There is no musical wallpaper. And do not be fooled: Kovacevich has a sweet, exquisitely warm and tender side. This is not the 2-dimensional booming some have suggested.
I am content now to enjoy these for years to come. A rich reward of new insights, with gorgeous sound and amazing technique, is all one could ask. Can a piece of music be emotionally and intellectually voluptuous? I now believe so. These 9 CDs (the last is sonata 32 and a lot of delicious bagatelles) are a treasured part of my collection. I return now and then to other versions and am amazed at the new dimensions, first here, now there, that Kovacevich has added when compared to what I had thought were definitive performances. Of course, some of these old friends will never be replaced but the entire array of the sonatas is now far more interesting than ever before. That also applies to the late sonatas: to cite just one instance, he plays No. 30 more sweetly than anyone, including Pollini. It is something to revel in. Kovacevich offers a full array of emotional experiences. What most distinguishes this set is his profound integrity as an artist. The decisions he makes are invariably just to the music and bring out what was evidently there all the time in a way that surprises and delights. Listening with one preconceived version of how Beethoven should sound (e.g., "There is no one like (fill in the blank: Arrau, Kempff, Schnabel, etc.), period") may paralyze the best intentions. Kovacevich has the artistry to transcend the impressions of most opinionated listeners. As to the more mundane issues, the accompanying critical notes are very fine and the packaging not expensive but good and rather stylish in appearance. I also believe the price is fair. This is music to which I return with mingled pleasure, anticipation and reverence. Enjoy.
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great, Fiery, Beethoven Sonatas Set, February 15, 2005
This review is from: Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas; Bagatelles Op. 119, Op. 126 [Box Set] (Audio CD)
Along with Brahms's late piano works, Debussy, some Liszt, and The Chopin Nocturnes, The Beethoven Piano sonatas are among my very favorite solo piano listening. I already have the Schnabel set, all of the sonatas that Gilels recorded, and The Goodes. I love all of those for different reasons. Although I don't own the Kempes, I listened to that set repeatedly when I worked at a record store several years ago, and I find his tempos to be a little "samey." Kovacevich is perhaps my favorite pianist, largely on the strength of his recordings of late Brahms, the Brahms First Piano Concerto, and the Beethoven Concertos. After I bought the Goode set several years ago, which I still very much enjoy, I decided that I couldn't justify springing for another full set...but after reading some reviews here, of the full set, and the individual issues, I managed to track down a relatively inexpensive copy of this set, so I decided to make this my latest "last set" of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas...and this one may very will be it.
In the faster music, Kovacevich is fiery, passionate, and unabashedly romantic, but he never fails to find the poetry in the slower, more introspective, music. One of my personal favorites of the Beethoven Sonatas--not just the more famous, or "named" ones--is the Second, and Kovacevich's performance has replaced Gilels' as my favorite. I'm not going to give a detailed breakdown of several of the Sonatas. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy the set as a whole, and was completely dazzled by several movements, especially the famous first movement of the Waldstein, always a favorite pianistic showcase, and Kovacevich's account of that sonata has also become my new favorite. The only place where I noted not really liking his choice of a tempo was in the first movement of the Hammerklavier: I realize that Kovacevich's fast tempo is a valid interpretation, but, frankly, this sonata has never been very near the top of my list of personal favorites of "the 32," and I prefer a more majestic tempo for the first movement; imo, if it is done too fast it sounds kind of "cartoonish,"
Unless you just flat out don't like your Beethoven sonatas played with a bit more romantic flair and flexibility, I think you will very much enjoy this set. Although I can imagine myself not always being in the mood for Kovacevich's more intense interpretations--and for those times I will be glad to also have the Goodes--I feel that Kovacevich's virtuosity and style make this a tough set to beat. Great sound too.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Penguin Rosette Award Winner, February 10, 2006
This review is from: Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas; Bagatelles Op. 119, Op. 126 [Box Set] (Audio CD)
Beethoven's 32 Sonatas requires a wide range of expression that challenge even the most well-rounded pianist: humor and wit, poignant lyricism, a Mozartian-delicacy-of-touch, a passionate intensity, daunting virtuosity and often sheer power and drama. Above all, many of the sonatas are "mini-dramas" that need a master story-teller to bring to life. And some of these "stories" explode with burning intensity (the in "Appassionata," "Waldstein" and "Hammerklavier" sonatas). Everything I knew about Beethoven pointed to a pianist capable of endearing lyricism but especially a pianist who could leave many inadequete claviers in smoldering ruins when the score blackened. His students like Czerny had marvellous stories of such incidents.
So, with this image in mind, many otherwise superb and even legendary readings did not quite fulfill and satisfy. Often, the sound and intensity was not "huge" enough to me, but such is personal preference amoung so many fine choices. But, it was not until I heard these readings by the well-respected Beethovian, Stephen Kovacevich, that my emotions and imagination were completely engaged in certain sonatas.
Kovacovich's readings capture the Beethovenian spirit convincingly and are unashamedly large in scope and expression. His sound is BIG and symphonic, and his readings burst forth with energy and excitement. Perhaps much like Beethoven, he in not shy in hammering the keyboard mercillessly at times. His Beethoven is a style that is often restless, not easily settling in and highlighting the contrasts in the score.
What will attract many is the sheer intensity he brings to the more famous "high velocity" movements - like the last of the "Moonlight", the "Appassionata" or the "Waldstein" - true "white-hot" playing. These do not disappoint. Yet, he finds the tender core of the famous Adagios with much artistry and delicacy but without dragging. He marvelously spins out the "Return" of Les Adieux with an irrestible zest as in some earlier works. Sure they may be a few movements one does not find their favorite, but overall there is a nice consistency to the 32 sonatas here that I found deeply satisfying.
Penguin Guide awarded this 2004 complete set a coveted ROSETTE award while Gramophone called it "A magnificent achievement." And unlike some other Beethoven sonata cycles, the sound quality is on the high-end of the spectrum and is very satisfying in all respects - bright, bold, just the right resonance. A fine engineering achievement I appreciated. This is a legenday set by a very fine pianist and should be viewed as a life-long investment to enjoy for decades. I consider it one of my prized classical sets. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance 5 stars; Sound - 5 stars.
Last, if you are looking for a complete set but cannot afford sets like this one, consider the "super-budget" sets by Bernard Roberts (Nimbus) or Claude Frank (Music & Arts) that are about a third the price of most sets - but that will still reveal Beethoven for Beethoven which is the most important focus.
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