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"Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman."
~ Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a radical man living in a revolutionary time, a true avant-garde pianist and composer. A decisive figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. It's still amazing to this listener to comprehend that his hearing began to deteriorate while Beethoven was in his late twenties, and by the last decade of his life he was almost completely deaf. He is said to have conceived of the outline for his final three piano sonatas (Op. 109, 110 and 111) during the summer of 1820, while he was deaf and working on his Missa Solemnis.
A Single Breath: Beethoven's Last Three Piano Sonatas
by New York-based pianist Beth Levin illustrates how she has polished her expressive and interpretive expertise on the piano since her early days as a child prodigy in Philadelphia. She has been highly praised by critics for her technique and readings. Beethoven's Sonatas 30-32 (Op. 109, 110, and 111), notably composed "in a single breath," serve as ideal material for Ms. Levin to express her skills, exploring the expressively multifaceted works with innovation, elegance, and almost-reverent interpretation of Beethoven's final piano sonatas.
In case they don't show up on the listings here, these are the tracks than can be found on this beautifully interpretive album, which is available on both CD and MP3 formats:
1. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: I. Vivace ma non troppo
2. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: II. Prestissimo
3. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: III. Andante molto cantabile
4. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
5. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: II. Allegro molto
6. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: III. Arioso - Fuga - Arioso - Fuga
7. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: I. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato
8. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: II. Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile
This is an expressive album, and as we listen to the tracks, Ms. Levin's love for Beethoven's compositions shines through. Op. 109 starts quietly, unhurriedly, and as each track progresses, we hear the full breadth and depth of Beethoven's highly emotional final sonatas. There are times that her touch on the piano keys is almost delicate and caressing; at other times we hear the frenzy of the composer's notes, sometimes even fierce. One can only imagine the emotions felt by those who witnessed this making of this recording.
Beth Levin is no stranger to the works of Beethoven, as we can clearly hear in her
Beethoven: Diabelli Variations
, released in 2010. These variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120, make up a set of variations for the piano written between 1819 and 1823 by on a waltz composed by Anton Diabelli. Along with J.S. Bach's
Goldberg Variations
, the Diabelli Variations is often considered to be one of the greatest sets of variations for keyboard, and Ms. Levin clearly demonstrates her artistry with her interpretations.
Beth Levin's
A Single Breath
is an excellent interpretation of Beethoven's last three piano sonatas, and one that this listener has enjoyed playing over and again. It clearly shows the composer's passion, innovation and prescient brilliance, and Ms. Levin's interpretation clearly show that this is a heartfelt work. Highly recommended, without a doubt.
"To play without passion is inexcusable!"
~ Ludwig van Beethoven
4/22/2013
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