Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 27/2, "Moonlight," Opp. 26, 27/1, & 49

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Without question, Stephen Kovacevich's latest recording of Beethoven's piano sonatas makes a very compelling case for him as our foremost interpreter of Beethoven. Once he completes recording the entire cycle, his interpretations will undoubtedly be the new standard against which others shall be compared. His performances on all of these sonatas are filled with ample keyboard precision coupled with vibrant, dramatic playing. For example his performance of the "Moonlight" sonata is the most exhilirating I've heard, replete with much passion as well as grace. Kovacevich knows when to take off, playing loudly when the score demands it; conversely his soft, tranquil playing is easily the most serene I have heard from a noted contemporary interpreter of Beethoven, with the possible exception of Richard Goode. The sound quality of this CD is absolutely exemplary.

I first heard Stephen Kovacevich play Moonlight Sonata on our local public radio station. I loved his version. I am a big fan of loud, pounding, fast piano music. I only knew the first movement that everyone knows, the slow, solemn music. Didn't even realize the rest of the piece is fast and furious. Mr. Kovacevich is definitely up to the challenge on the last movement. It's amazing that he can play that fast and "pounding" for more than 7 minutes. It took my breath away. The rest of the album also contains beautiful sonatas that I enjoy, but Moonlight is definitely my favorite.

I am a huge Kovacevich fan, and my confidence was fully justified in these performances, but the audio--at least on my copy of this CD--has exaggerated dynamics. They make it impossible to hear the quiet first movement of the Moonlight if played at the same volume as the rest of the recording. I leave it to other buyers whether to buy this version anyway--you won't find better playing, but you may find its equal--or to search for more recent recordings with better engineering.