Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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54 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding ! One of a kind ! Simply out of this world !, April 8, 2007
It is truly unbelievable what Daniel Barenboim did in the lapse of three weeks in these 8 concerts given in Berlin in 2005, what a precious gift to be able to watch these superb performances of the complete Beethoven 32 Piano Sonatas in wonderful sound and image and a really beautiful camera work, it takes more than eleven hours to play them all, Daniel Barenboim is an extraordinary musical genius, not to mention the superb quality of his playing and the fact that he didn't even read a single note.
I really didn't know Daniel Barenboim is such a fantastic pianist, his playing in this set is simply unsurpassable, he shows a deep feeling and connection with this music, his understanding of the music and the piano in particular is totally amazing and that is completely reflected in the unique way he plays, he is never boring, his interpretations are so vivid, each phrase played with such care and passion, his musicality and expressiveness are outstanding, and his technic is absolutely of the highest level, truly astonishing, it was like the piano was actually singing all the time.
This whole set is a magnificent masterclass by Daniel Barenboim, truly in the same league with the greatest masters of the piano ever.
The format of the film is widescreen and for the audio we have the option of Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround for optimal sound.
So if you love the piano and feel passion for it do not miss these magnificent, spellbinding, breathtaking and electrifying performances beautifully captured on film.
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46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GET IT!, March 27, 2007
THIS is what I'm talkin about! A fantastic collection with more magnificent playing from Barenboim. The chap's hitting his stride! Having just watched the excellent 2disc '50 Years on Stage', I went looking for more. This is a superb film (6 discs) and Barenboim's Beethoven is wise and abundant - and the film's not just music. Conversation, breezy cutaways, but always returning to the reason for the season, which is Barenboim's musical maturity and his seeming emergence as a revered elder. In the Master Class segments, Barenboim even manages to get Lang Lang to LISTEN more! Young musicians have a great deal to learn from the maestro in this phase of his musical life: learning to lean on music, to trust it, to set aside ego inside one's work, and how to listen as a musician. These pure qualities this pianist possesses in spades. Absolute recommendation. How many times can you hear these sonatas played with this kind of beautiful authority? Dont even think twice. Worth twice the price.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential!, April 23, 2007
Here is a set that is, and will be for future generations, priceless. If it cost twice as much it would still be worth it, and a great deal.
The complete traversal (in recital) of the Beethoven 32 has been done a number of times since Sir Charles Hallé first accomplished the mammoth task in 1861, but never before has it been caught on film.
Maestro Barenboim is completely up to the task. Having played many of the Sonatas for more than fifty years one is not surprised at his great insights and seriousness, but almost shockingly (when one thinks of how much time he spends with his "non-pianistic" activities) he is also still up to all the considerable technical and endurance demands.
The recitals are filled to the brim with moments of insight, beauty, profundity, joy, power and greatness that are too numerous to mention. Even the occasional interpretive choice that I find puzzling (the decidedly not "Allegro molto e vivace" from Sonata no.13 jumps to mind) does nothing to diminish any of the concerts, no one will ever be able to play all 32 in a way that pleases everyone, it would be folly to even attempt to do so. Instead Barenboim does exactly what he should (unsurprisingly); he plays with great knowledge and understanding, leaving nothing to chance. It would be impossible for me to recommend this any more highly to anyone interested in the Piano, Beethoven or Music.
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