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| Beethoven: Favourite Piano Sonatas | 
 enlarge | Artists: Ludwig Van Beethoven, Alfred Brendel
Label: Philips
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $6.39
You Save: $11.59 (64%)
Buy New/Used from $6.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  (12 reviews)
Sales Rank: 17716
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 5 x 0.4
MPN: 438730
UPC: 028943873024
EAN: 0028943873024
ASIN: B00000417L
Release Date: January 18, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Beethoven's Most Popular Piano Works January 26, 2005
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
Before Beethoven, the solo piano compositions (piano sonatas) of Haydn and Mozart were more designed for teaching, parlor music or an occasional showing of virtuosity - but within the classical restraint of the Vieneese culture. After mostly following this model for some time, Beethoven threw off these restaints and unleashed an unheard-of level of power and virtuosity - pioneering piano compositions of great drama, emotional expression and wide, dynamic tones. The public loved this new musical expression, especially such early works as the Pathetique and the so-called "Moonlight" sonata. Where piano sonatas before were well-suited for the dilattante and amatuer, these were now reserved only for the most advanced pianist. It was with such piano sonatas that Beethoven first worked out his revolutionary musical concepts that paved the way for his later and greater symphonies, concertos and string quartets - leaving behind the restraints of the "Classical period" and forging the way to the more-emotive "Romantic period."
Beethoven's seven most famous piano sonatas (the so-called "name sonatas") are on these two CD's. They are popular mostly because of the music is superb and changed the way the world looked at music at that time. These works (from Beethoven's "early" and "middle" periods until about 1801) are more popular and appealing to the average or newer listener than Beethoven's "lesser-accessible" and more turbulant later compositions. But, with so many recordings of these sonatas by so many of the great pianists to chose from, how does one decide? While for any individual sonata a certain performer may have recorded a spectacular reading, this 2-CD set by Alfred Brendel is - on a whole - excellent and highly rated. Gramophone Guide concluded of this DUO set, "These can be recommended without any reservations whatsoever." Brendel recorded three complete cycles of Beethoven's 32 sontatas. These are from Brendel's 1970's cycle (compared to the legendary first cycle on Vox or the most recent complete set recorded in the 1990's on Philips).
As one of the legendary pianist of the 20th century, Mr. Brendel is recognized worldwide as one of the finest interpreters of Beethoven (and Schubert) and gives exceptional performances here that are recorded with very good sound. Each reading is compelling, well-conceived and full of suspenseful and dramatic unfolding (Penguin Guide refers to them as "authoritive"). In particular, his "Waldstein" and "Tempest" show an exciting and seamless train-of-thought that resonates in the mind long after. His "Pastoral" and "Les Adieux" are gorgeous and flow like a refreshing stream. Equally attractive are the slower movements of the "Pathetique" and "Moonlight" sontata where Mr. Brendel creates an alluring atmosphere that is quiet, passionate and tender - hardly fitting the description of "overly-intellectual" often used in reference to his style (maybe its the thick glasses?). His readings here are still among my favorite for their depth and masterful sense of direction and unfolding, but many great pianists have recorded these marvels that have their own allure.
This DUO set of Brendel's Beethoven makes an excellent first purchase for those exploring Beethoven's piano sonatas especially with the value of the Philips DUO set. The sound is very good but shy of the best modern DDD recordings. Last, if you are looking for a first, COMPLETE SET of all Beethoven's 32 sonatas for piano, there are two great, "Super-Budget" choices from Bernard Roberts (Nimbus) or Claude Frank (Music & Arts). Both present Beethoven with balance and artistry and make good reference sets that are highly affordable (only about $25-30 on Amazon marketplace for the 10-CD set). Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Sound quality - 4 stars.
 not recommended March 16, 2001
11 out of 25 found this review helpful
Very disappointing recordings from the 70's. Some odd choice of tempo from Brendel; the Adagio Cantabile from the Pathetique seems to drag with heavy accompaniment while some passages of the Rondo are so fast that in combination with mediocre sound quality they lose clarity. The Andante of the Appassionata is spoiled by an urgency rendering the final Allegro movement relatively less dramatic. Also the subjects in the Allegro do not sing out as they could - just listen to Barenboim's recording. Not recommended even if you are on a tight budget. Try Barenboim or Ashkenazy.
 Good Bargain February 15, 2001
4 out of 8 found this review helpful
For the price, this CD set offers fine playing all around. Don't expect any great insights or revelations, though. These are nicely thought-out, middle-of-the-road performances from Brendel that are perhaps a bit bland but quite solid for the most part. If you need performances with a little more panache, try Artur Schnabel, Sviatoslav Richter, or even Maurizio Pollini.
Indispensable for any Beethoven lover. January 14, 2001
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This was the first Beethoven disc that i heard, and it really touched me. This music is so filled with and arduous sense of tragedy, yet it conveys the essence of Beethoven: expressing feeling through music. These performances so beautifully demostrate the incalculable genius of the composer. Any beginer should be very satisfyed with this Duo Disc. An excellent value for money. The playing is of high standard, excellent i must say in the case of the Pathetique and Waldestein sonatas. Also, its important to mention that the performances are in a very german matter. The only stepback is the sound, which in the Appassionata is dry and opaque. All in all, indispensable.
 Not one of my "favourite" CDs December 4, 2000
3 out of 17 found this review helpful
While Alfred Brendel is very popular, and said to be very good, and this CD set has many of the more famous Beethoven sonatas, this CD is terrible. The only reason I gave this two stars was because of the number of famous sonatas. Brendel's playing itself, however, is so unbelievably mechanical and "dry," I don't know how anyone can like him. He uses no pedal, which I had never heard before on a Beethoven CD, and have concluded that it sounds horrible. The only reason someone would buy this would be to at least have one, fairly cheap, copy of the famous Beethoven sonatas.
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