Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2, 3 [Import]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Artist), Alfred Brendel (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 1994)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Philips Import
• ASIN: B00000418N
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,497 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brendel playing early Beethoven sonatas - supreme classical wit and elegance, December 28, 2010

By 

P. Adrian "Adrian" (Arad, Romania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

No other living pianist is more entitled to convey the classical wit of these early Beethoven sonatas (op.2 nos. 1, 2 & 3) than Alfred Brendel. His musical intelligence featuring an airy, serene manner of playing, his efficient insights and fondness of exploring the marvellous realm of the Viennese classical school in a long stage experience, all helped him get the very essence of the scores he performs, assuming them entirely and shading a fresh light on their subtlest nuances, on their deepest feelings encoded between notes. This is the case here where Brendel seems to gamble with emotions and impressions. He invites them to tell stories, to play roles, to embody thoughts and emotions. He listens to their voices and then sets the stage for their temporary occurrence. His phenomenal intellectual gifts pursue an exquisite classical poise that seduces. His fingers dance on the keyboard with a grace always meaningful and precise.

Delightful account! What a charming playfulness does Brendel exhibit in the Scherzo of the A major Sonata! How compelling does he approaches the opening Allegro - cautious and curios at the same time - of the F minor Sonata!.Dedicated to Haydn, Brendel understands that these sonatas should be played in the purest Haydnian style: tensions rarely overcome an elegant salon conversation, humorous accents rise here and there, fondness of playing glows throughout.

elonging to the last Brendel's recorded traversal of Beethoven sonatas (achieved for Philips in early `90s), this CD deserves a first row place among his accounts and stands as an anthological sample of the supreme classical elegance in music. Highhy recommended!