Beethoven: Complete Sonatas Vol. 2 - Sonatas 11-22

Seymour Lipkin (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Seymour Lipkin
• Audio CD (May 4, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Newport Classic
• ASIN: B00022XECM
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #528,794 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Sonata no.11 in B flat major, op.22 - Mvt. 1 Allegro con brio

2. Mvt. 2 Adagio con molta espressione

3. Mvt. 3 Menuetto

4. Mvt. 4 Rondo: Allegretto

5. Sonata no.12 in A flat major, op.26 - Mvt. 1 Andante von variazioni

6. Mvt. 2 Scherzo: Allegro molto

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Sonata no.15 in D major "Pastoral", op.28 - Mvt. 1 Allegro

2. Mvt. 2 Andante

3. Mvt. 3 Scherzo: Allegro vivace

4. Mvt. 4 Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo

5. Sonata no.16 in G major, op.31, no.1 - Mvt. 1 Allegro vivace

6. Mvt. 2 Adagio grazioso

See all 10 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Sonata no.18 in E flat major, op.31, no.3 - Mvt. 1 Allegro

2. Mvt. 2 Scherzo: Allegretto vivace

3. Mvt. 3 Menuetto: Moderato e grazioso

4. Mvt. 4 Presto con fuoco

5. Sonata no.19 in G minor, op.49, no.1 - Mvt. 1 Andante

6. Mvt. 2 Rondo: Allegro

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Lipkin's performances are uneven. He is regrettably inconsistent in his use of repeats. (This listener wants them all.) He tames the early Sonatas, playing graciously but without their startling innovative quality. Most of the works in the Op. 20s are beautifully performed, although the opening movement of the "Moonlight" is too dreamy and slow and the finale too mild. Op. 26 and 28 are wonderful, and so are similarly lyrical, contemplative pieces like Op. 81a and Op. 101. The big challenges are met with limited success. The "Waldstein" and "Appassionata" lack excitement; the "Hammerklavier" is fine until the final fugue, which comes across with little power. Op. 109 and 110 are very much underplayed, and then Op. 111 is a bold, visionary performance. Go figure. The supplementary materials include a long, informative essay by Ted Libbey, a brief bio of the performer, and scores of all of the music, although in a rather heavily edited edition. This isn't the ultimate recording of Beethoven's piano sonatas (go to Goode on Nonesuch for a modern recording, Schnabel on Naxos and Nat on EMI on EMI for unique insights). But it certainly offers a lot of material for 34 bucks! --Leslie Gerber [This review refers to the uniquely packaged complete Lipkin Beethoven cycle contained on one CD-ROM.]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Beethoven Piano Sonata Set, March 10, 2009

By 

Ron Van Holland "RVHolland" (Minnesota, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beethoven: Complete Sonatas Vol. 2 - Sonatas 11-22 (Audio CD)

I wanted a complete set of the Beethoven piano sonatas and had a difficult time weeding through the many options. I listened to the entire set of three volumes four or five times within three months after I purchased them and am not disappointed. The recordings are blemishless as is Lipkin. The three-box set includes all of the sonatas and they are recorded in order, unlike some of the the other box sets. This makes them easy to find and easier to remember names for future reference. Each movement is well labeled electronically so the information transfers to iTunes -- this is a real problem with older recordings if one has to type in labels for each of over 100 separate movements (in the three-box set). I've heard more moving versions of Moonlight Sonata, for example, so although I am not a true aficionado I recognize that every piece in this set might not be the best ever recorded -- but no set can make that boast. I highly recommend this set for anyone who wants the Beethoven piano sonata library for both fine listening and convenient reference.