Piano Sonatas 4 22 23 & 25

Beethoven (Artist), Kovacevich (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 9, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B00004Z34G
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #526,556 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pno Son No.23 in f, Op.57 'Appassionata': I. Allegro Assai - Piu Allegro

2. Pno Son No.23 in f, Op.57 'Appassionata': II. Andante Con Moto

3. Pno Son No.23 in f, Op.57 'Appassionata': III. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Presto

4. Pno Son No.22 in F, Op.54: I. In Tempe D'un Menuetto

5. Pno Son No.22 in F, Op.54: II. Allegretto - Piu Allegro

6. Pno Son No.25 in G, Op.79: I. Presto Alla Tedesca

7. Pno Son No.25 in G, Op.79: II. Andante

8. Pno Son No.25 in G, Op.79: III. Vivace

9. Pno Son No.4 in E flat, Op.7: I. Allegro Molto E Con Brio

10. Pno Son No.4 in E flat, Op.7: II. Largo, Con Gran Espressione

11. Pno Son No.4 in E flat, Op.7: III. Allegro

12. Pno Son No.4 in E flat, Op.7: IV. Rondo (Poco Allegretto E Grazioso)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, April 8, 2001

By 

"jimbobmpls" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Sonatas 4 22 23 & 25 (Audio CD)

I am a HUGE fan of Kovacevich, but have to admit that I was disappointed by this CD - esp. the "Appassionata". I really expected him to "let loose" on this most ferocious of sonatas, but instead we get a measured performance that lacks both the dramatic intensity of Gillels, Richter and Horowitz and the rhythmic elan of Kempff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great, October 29, 2002

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"ibell21" (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Sonatas 4 22 23 & 25 (Audio CD)

Kovacevich is clearly high up there among the best contemporary interpreters of Beethoven, but this disc is a bit disappointing in comparison with some of his other recent work (esp. for instance the disc with ##21/24/31). Whereas Kovacevich's Waldstein (#21) was overwhelming, the Appassionata here doesn't have nearly the same effect.

Gilels is high up on my list of Appasionatas and also has a very convincing #4; Kempff is I think more effective in ##22 and 25.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a safe recommendation, February 12, 2001

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"asbyip" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Sonatas 4 22 23 & 25 (Audio CD)

My friend presented me with this CD as a gift. Kovacevich is well known as a Beethovan interpreter, already shown in the early Phillips days and confirmed now in his EMI series, showing that his control and above all understanding of these work is at the top of any short-list. All in all, those wanting a modern version of these 2 sonatas need look no further.