Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Volume 1: Opp. 2 & 7

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), András Schiff (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: András Schiff
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (September 27, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B000AOEH4G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,054 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 2-CD set is the first of eight projected volumes of the complete Beethoven piano sonatas in chronological order, to be released over two years. András Schiff, renowned for his interpretations of (among others) Bach, Mozart, and Schubert, deliberately waited to "grow into" the Beethoven sonatas, which Hans von Bülow described as the piano literature's "New Testament." Volume I, comprising the Sonatas Op. 2 and 7, leaves no doubt that Schiff has not only mastered these works but been mastered by them. Beethoven's early sonatas, very different from one another and full of youthful ardor and exuberance, already display an extraordinary command of form, structure, contrast, and tonality; they are miracles of grace, humor and emotional depth. Schiff's ability to bring out their swiftly changing moods and character with a variety of touch, color, and inflection is uncanny. His tempi are always judicious; his rhythm is buoyant, leavened with subtle, flexible rubatos perfectly poised and balanced. The runs are brilliant but not showy, and the voices are clear. Even though he takes every single repeat, the sonatas never seem too long. For these recordings, made live in Zürich's Tonhalle, Schiff is using two pianos, a Bösendorfer for the more lyrical sonatas, a Steinway for the more dramatic, virtuosic ones. The booklet offers much interesting information (including an interview with Schiff) but does not specify which piano he is playing on these discs. Sometimes the tone quality seems less than optimal: the bass booms, the top sounds brittle, the texture gets muddy. Whether this is due to the instrument or the microphone is open to question. --Edith Eisler

Product Description

No Description Available.
Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 27-SEP-2005

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Landmark Beethoven interpretations by Schiff., November 20, 2005

By 

Janos Gardonyi "jgarch2002" (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Volume 1: Opp. 2 & 7 (Audio CD)

If I may, with due respect, I completely disagree with the previous reviewer. Schiff was not uncomfortable with Beethoven, but being a self-effacing young man and a perfectionist, he only waited to mature and be worthy to play the sonatas. He is now embarking on the long awaited complete set that surely will be a landmark.
Andras Schiff is a pianist to reckon with whose career is on the rise. Sold out concert halls in Europe prove this. I think it was worth the wait for him to get into Beethoven.
These 4 early sonatas are tremendous interpretations: full of joy, excitement, vigour, imagination and virtuosity even wit and humour.His technique is perfect and his palette is lucid and crisp, perhaps less fluidly romantic as Richard Goode, but this is a more classic
approach influenced by Haydn. In fact Sonata Op.2 no. 1 is dedicated to Haydn. Op. 2 No.3 is a stunningly memorable virtuoso performance.
The monumental sonata Op.7 is a giant step forward at this early phase and Schiff's perfomance is the pinnacle of this set.Just think of the wonderfully introspective interpretation of the Largo or the Scherzo with its disturbing, tremulous Minore section. A masterly performance.

Stop and go phrasing, muddled textures ? Statements like these
should be supported by precise examples otherwise the "critic"
loses his credibility.

I sincerely recommend this recording and look forward to the follow-ups.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Surprise, March 19, 2006

By 

jonsj (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Volume 1: Opp. 2 & 7 (Audio CD)

I have not been a fan of Andras Schiff's in the past. In general, I've found his Mozart and Schubert performances to be fussy and precious, despite their elegance and surface polish. Beethoven does not seem tempermentally the right fit for Schiff, so I was particularly guarded about exploring these new discs. But I have to say if this first volume is indicative of what's to come, this will be a magnificent Beethoven sonata cycle.

Although these performances are as well groomed as any of Schiff's past performances, his style has adopted a bit bolder and more dramatic profile. His playing is more forcefully articulated (in the past, I've had a hard time with his dainty pecking at notes), and his tempi are more measured but also natural sounding, and less sheerly fleet.

In short, Schiff brings a welcome touch of drama to these early sonatas, while not sacrificing the scrupulous care and lyricism that is his signature. And what glorious music this is! These sonatas have such extraordinary richness and complexity despite their being youthful works. Schiff takes all repeats. I found the set very well recorded too, though I see other reviewers have reservations on that front. Highly recommended.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not typical but very interesting!, December 1, 2005

By 

Robert Chan (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Volume 1: Opp. 2 & 7 (Audio CD)

I love Andras Schiff's playing Mozart and Bach but I always wonder how could he adjust his style to Beethoven. (I have not heard his concertos recording with Haitink) Yes, his Beethoven Sonata is slightly slower than some pianists (well... I probably would rather say 'more flexibility' in terms of tempo) and far less percussive, but not less dramatic. Because of his unique sound and interpretation, I felt very refreshing listening to them. In an era that most pianists sound so similarly, it's fun to have people that could offer individuality and freshness to the old warhorse.

4 stars only because of a mediocre recording quality. (5 stars for interpretation, 3 stars for muddy sound)