Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2 & 3

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Murray Perahia (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Murray Perahia
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (May 16, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002A6H
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,250 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simpl;y gorgeous!, October 29, 2001

By 

Russel E. Higgins - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2 & 3 (Audio CD)

I suggest that you buy this marvelous CD before Sony drops it from the active catalogue. It is simply a gorgeous interpretation of three of Beethoven's earliest piano sonatas, written early in his life, around the time that he was studying in Vienna with Haydn between 1792 and 1794. They are, however, unlike the Haydn sonatas, anticipating Beethoven's later exhilarating work in the form and showing definite evidences of the explosive excitement that would be a part of Beethoven's later piano pieces. The slow movements in all three sonatas are lovely, but the adagio in the C major sonata is absolutely exquisite, played sensitively and poignantly by Mr. Perahia. The menuetto in F minor sonata is a humorous, rather quirky movement with an attractive trio that moves gracefully back to the major theme. The prestissimo in Sonata #1 and the allegro assai of Sonata #3 have the fire and drive and the tonal contrasts that we associate with Beethoven's later work. There are big, Romantic images and technical wizardry in these early sonatas, and I think that the music lovers must study pieces like these in order to understand the depth and genius of Beethoven's later output.
The sonatas were never, in my opinion, played more beautifully. Mr. Perahia produces a simply beautiful tone in every note of the sonatas. He has complete technical command of his instrument and his interpretations are conceived in a loving manner. I do not believe that any interpretation in music is ever "definitive," but these probably come close to being ultimate. Finally, Sony reproduces Mr. Perahia's distinctive sound well, using 20 bit technology with "high definition sound." I am technically inept and have no idea what these terms mean, but the sound is brilliant and warm. If you enjoy this recording and wish to explore more of Mr. Perahia's excellent work, I suggest you purchase his fairly recent Sony recordings of Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti. They are as superb as the Beethoven CD and a delightful addition to one's recorded music collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Early Beethoven Performances, May 12, 2007

By 

Michael A. Brocato (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2 & 3 (Audio CD)

Perahia performs these three works beautifully. His technique and style are masterful, his tone and nuance are well crafted, and the recording engineers have done an excelent job of capturing his exciting performances. I prefer his interpretations to the drier, (almost too) scholarly pressings of Jon O'Connor.
His performance of the 2nd sonanta (A Major) may be one of the two best overall performances I have ever heard either in recording or in live settings. (Which is very often in about the past 35 years.)

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Job, June 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2 & 3 (Audio CD)

Murray Parahia has onced again released another set of great Beethoven sonatas (Hmm, all Beethoven sonatas are great!). His playing is as always, crystal clear with great technique, finger skills and musicality. I still think he has so much more to offer than what he produced in this recording. In conclusion, a fine recording with splendid results. Above everything else, for students learning the sonatas, this is a very good source for reference since Murray Parahia is by far one of the better pianists going around at present.