Leif Ove Andsnes ~ Haydn - Piano Sonatas

Joseph Haydn (Artist), Leif Ove Andsnes (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00000I3V2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,015 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Leif Ove Andsnes, obviously one of the superior artists on the current piano scene, deserves credit for paying attention to Haydn. Every one of these sonatas is a masterpiece, and every one is played with Andsnes's typical intelligence and scrupulous detail. You could virtually take dictation from these performances, except for some missing repeats. But it's hard to feel that Andsnes identifies as strongly with this music as he does with Brahms. As fine as this playing is, it has an aura of objectivity that keeps the results from being completely satisfying. Although this disc does not lessen my admiration for the pianist, you could spend the same money for three of Jandó's Naxos CDs of Haydn and have a lot more music, played as well, if not better. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars everything Andsnes touches is gold, August 25, 2006

By 

CharlesA "ca_uk" (London UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leif Ove Andsnes ~ Haydn - Piano Sonatas (Audio CD)

your eyes can be opened to an artist's true worth just by hearing one thing they do that bowls you over. Andsnes is one of those rare pianists who has a formidable technique (and a fabulous sense of rhythm) without overwhelming the piano and playing harshly or smashing the keys down. He has a mixture of wonderful technique and pin-point finger velocity. Just listen to the first three tracks on Amazon (which he plays at a spanking presto) he lifts that piece of Haydn out of all time.

Andsnes is not an eccentric pianist, he's wonderfully musical and rewarding. Everything else I have by Andsnes is great especially the Bartok violin and piano sonatas and the janacek piano album on Virgin.

As for Haydn, he's an underrated genius always unfairly overshadowed by Mozart (no slouch he) but Hadyn can hold his own with his warm, human and unbelievably inventive music in every genre.

Relax and enjoy, an album to cherish

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wit and playfulness in Andsnes's Haydn, March 16, 2011

By 

P. Adrian "Adrian" (Arad, Romania) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leif Ove Andsnes ~ Haydn - Piano Sonatas (Audio CD)

As a declared fan of Alfred Brendel, I must admit that I can hardly accept any other pianist in the vicinity of his special artistry and musical efficiency when t comes to classical Viennese repertory. Rare are those who can scale with as much grace and inspiration (as Brendels') the whole gamut of moods - from witty elegance and melodious serenity to humorous accents and irony - that Joseph Haydn unfolded in his piano sonatas.

Notwithstanding the Norwegian virtuoso Leif Ove Andsnes comes close to my exigencies in Haydn by means of his recording under consideration here comprising no less than five sonatas. Each of them is shaped differently, with special care for both its meaningful and lyrical sides, for drawing its character in proper colors. Lei Ove exhibits an unexpected light of touch while the playful dimension shimmers throughout with joy and vivacity.

All in all it is a refined rendition testifying a profound approach to classical treasure in music. It is favored the essence of the music interpreted rather than its sparkling effect, the quiet thought rather than glamorous display. Much younger than Brendel, Andsnes confirms thus his robust gifts for an intelligent music-making and promises to become in a near future a competitor on equal footing with his legendary colleague for the supremacy in the Viennese repertory.

15 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Andsnes and Haydn: A perfect match, January 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Leif Ove Andsnes ~ Haydn - Piano Sonatas (Audio CD)

Leif Ove Andsnes, one of the best pianists in the world for the time being, has also become one of the best Haydn interpretors. This album is excellent, especially Piano Sonata No. 32 in C sharp minor.

Just relax and enjoy the fantastic 1-hour journey with Leif Ove Andsnes as your guide. He plays with such an ease, and shows yet again that Andsnes and Haydn is a perfect match.