BAL: Beethoven piano sonata in E flat op 7

[Bryn]

I remember asking the owner if the Oistrakh-conducted Mahler symphony no 4 was 'really any good' to which he replied 'you could find out for only £2'
:

Funny you should mention that particular recording, a51. I bought the Russian Revalation CD transfer of that for 99p in The Works, in Windsor, a year or so ago. ;)

[Parry1912]

although the scratch does not annoy me as it does not neccesitate moving the stylus on so to speak.

That's why I sold all my LPs and went over to CD. You're obviously a lot more laid back than I am, kuligin.

[verismissimo]

Anyone heard the op 7 from the Gulda set that Kenneth Hamilton waxed lyrical about on CDR?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Presumably that is the one, licensed from Decca, in the Brilliant Classics set, which I have. I much prefer the Gilels, but each to his own.

[gradus]

Just listening to John Lill's performance from a Brilliant Classics CD reissue of his complete set. How long before this wonderful pianist is re-recorded in this repertoire, in which he excels.

[Bryn]

Presumably that is the one, licensed from Decca, in the Brilliant Classics set, which I have. I much prefer the Gilels, but each to his own.

Decca recorded Gulda playing Op. 7 in September 1955. I am not aware of that recording ever being licensed by Brilliant Classics, though it is available on the now deleted:



The only Brilliant Classics set that I am aware of is a re-issue of the Amadeo recordings of 1967. I first got that in their Philips LP boxed set release. At the time of their release there was a fair bit of criticism of the recording quality, a criticism I never concurred with.

[Nick Armstrong]

Presumably that is the one, licensed from Decca, in the Brilliant Classics set, which I have. I much prefer the Gilels, but each to his own.

Alps, this is the one talked about on CD Review on 18 September:

BEETHOVEN: The 32 Piano Sonatas; “Eroica” Variations; “Diabelli” Variations; 6 Bagatelles Op.126
Friedrich Gulda (piano)
Orfeo C 808 109 L (9 CD)

I haven't heard it, but it's been niggling at the back of the mind as a potential purchase...

[Bryn]

Thanks for that, Caliban. Duly ordered from Harmonia Mundi via the amazon.co.uk marketplace.

[Nick Armstrong]

Thanks for that, Caliban. Duly ordered from Harmonia Mundi via the amazon.co.uk marketplace.

You're welcome! Please post some detailed opinions here once you've heard it! :)

[Bryn]

Currently listening to the 1955 Decca recording in preparation, though how long the Orfeo set will take to arrive is anyone's guess.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The only Brilliant Classics set that I am aware of is a re-issue of the Amadeo recordings of 1967. I first got that in their Philips LP boxed set release. At the time of their release there was a fair bit of criticism of the recording quality, a criticism I never concurred with.

Yes, you are quite right. It was an Amadeo release, not Decca. The recording quality seems pretty good to me.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Listening to this review confirms just what a fine work this is, with so many fine interpretations. But at the risk of upsetting those interested in HIP versions, however hard I try, the fortepiano still sounds like a slightly out of tune pianoforte.

[verismissimo]

I liked the Brautigam a lot - including the sound of the instrument, EA. Also the recommended Schiff, rather to my surprise, as I often feel he's rather mannered. But I've invested in Gulda!

Altogether a first rate BAL, IMO.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Schiff! I wasn't expecting that, good though his interpretation was. I'd have gone for Paul Lewis. For me, he can do little wrong in Beethoven.

[Peter Katin]

Well, I'm surprised that he didn't mention Schnabel, who has always seemed to me to be the reference point, even if one doesn't like the playing (which was terribly untidy sometimes).