Haydn: The Complete Piano Sonatas [BOX SET]

Franz Joseph Haydn (Composer), John McCabe (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: John McCabe
• Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
• Audio CD (June 24, 1997)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 12
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0000041KC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #96,928 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Haydn was not a pianist of any distinction, nor a very successful composer of instrumental concertos, but his piano sonatas--and there are more than 60 of them--are much finer than those of Mozart, who was one of his era's greatest keyboard virtuosos. The reason for this is simple. Mozart wrote his keyboard concertos for himself and his sonatas for students. Haydn, on the other hand, was constantly stimulated to write piano music for gifted amateurs, though in those days amateurs were often as good as the professionals, particularly women for whom a concert career was out of the question. This is great music then, charming but never trivial, and John McCabe plays it with impressive style and vigor. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising Haydn Flawlessly Played, October 17, 1998

By	rick ansoff (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

McCabe offers unforced readings which sparkle and at the same time let the music speak for itself. Here is a Haydn full of his special wit, humor and sometimes drama on a par with Beethoven. First-rate cd transfers throughout. This set actually offers twelve CD's, a complete and consistently lovely journey through the under-appreciated world of Haydn's piano music.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jawdropping, awesome,..... most of all, beautiful...., May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This is a truly beautiful set, suitable for desert island listening. Anyone who does not respond to this music and the inspired way it is played by John McCabe has no blood in his body. The London recording of the piano is perfection. The Seven Last Words of Christ by itself is worth the money for the whole set. Haydn rules!!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best complete set of Haydn Sonatas at any price, May 21, 2004

By A Customer

Other individual performances may "grab" you more than these, but as a whole I could not find fault with these performances. They are particularly satisfying if you follow with a score - you get to see the choices in ornamentation, dynamics, etc. that McCabe makes compared with what is on the printed page. I did several comparisons with other performers (I own 4 complete sets of these sonatas and several smaller compilations), and McCabe consistently comes out on top overall, in my opinion. Haydn's best sonatas are consistently more inventive, witty, and daring than Mozart's and are definitely worth your attention.