BaL 01.02.25 - Mozart: Piano sonata 15

[MickyD]

Brautigam was the HIPP choice.

His Mozart cycle is so beautifully played, as is his Haydn.

[HighlandDougie]

I may be being unfair as I much respect Kenneth Hamilton but I found today's BaL to be rather unfocused and, at times, almost contradictory in relation to performances on a fortepiano and performances on a modern instrument. It was as if we were being asked to ignore 'modern' performances one minute in favour of the ur-recording by Robert Levin then faced with Ken H's admission that he didn't hugely like the sound of Levin's instrument. Christian Blackshaw was presented as somehow "un-Mozartian" (too romantic; completely ignored Mozart's dynamic markings) then praised for sounding rather lovely. I rather gave up at that point. I might just stick with Bezuidenhout (not mentioned) and Richard Goode. The Levin might be how it might have sounded to Mozart but ...

[Mandryka]

I may be being unfair as I much respect Kenneth Hamilton but I found today's BaL to be rather unfocused and, at times, almost contradictory in relation to performances on a fortepiano and performances on a modern instrument. It was as if we were being asked to ignore 'modern' performances one minute in favour of the ur-recording by Robert Levin then faced with Ken H's admission that he didn't hugely like the sound of Levin's instrument. Christian Blackshaw was presented as somehow "un-Mozartian" (too romantic; completely ignored Mozart's dynamic markings) then praised for sounding rather lovely. I rather gave up at that point. I might just stick with Bezuidenhout (not mentioned) and Richard Goode. The Levin might be how it might have sounded to Mozart but ...

I think Levin is pedestrian, workmanlike.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I may be being unfair as I much respect Kenneth Hamilton but I found today's BaL to be rather unfocused and, at times, almost contradictory in relation to performances on a fortepiano and performances on a modern instrument. It was as if we were being asked to ignore 'modern' performances one minute in favour of the ur-recording by Robert Levin then faced with Ken H's admission that he didn't hugely like the sound of Levin's instrument. Christian Blackshaw was presented as somehow "un-Mozartian" (too romantic; completely ignored Mozart's dynamic markings) then praised for sounding rather lovely. I rather gave up at that point. I might just stick with Bezuidenhout (not mentioned) and Richard Goode. The Levin might be how it might have sounded to Mozart but ...

I thought that reflected the many faceted , contradictory and unknowable nature of this piece. There is no “authentic “ or correct performance . What struck me today was how many performances I really didn’t like. The only ones that really grabbed me were Fou Ts’ong’s ( my winner ) Blackshaw’s and Donohoe’s . I disliked Levin’s for all its “authentic” noodling.
The most revealing critical comment was Beethoven’s on Mozart’s playing. Beethoven obviously didn’t rate him much. No doubt Mozart would have disliked Beethoven’s wayward improvisatory style . And yet they were amongst the greatest virtuosi of their time. Time moves on and tastes change …

[vinteuil]

I liked the Fou Ts'Ong and the Bilson , and also the Levin - but I agree with Highland Dougie that this BaL was unfocused and contradictory : Kenneth Hamilton, whom I usually have a lot of time for, seemed all over the place.

The Grieg two-person thing was fun, but...

I particularly enjoyed the Glenn Gould




.

[Barbirollians]

I thought that reflected the many faceted , contradictory and unknowable nature of this piece. There is no “authentic “ or correct performance . What struck me today was how many performances I really didn’t like. The only ones that really grabbed me were Fou Ts’ong’s ( my winner ) Blackshaw’s and Donohoe’s . I disliked Levin’s for all its “authentic” noodling.
The most revealing critical comment was Beethoven’s on Mozart’s playing. Beethoven obviously didn’t rate him much. No doubt Mozart would have disliked Beethoven’s wayward improvisatory style . And yet they were amongst the greatest virtuosi of their time. Time moves on and tastes change …

I am always highly suspicious of 200 -250 year old hearsay .

[richardfinegold]

The catchy theme in III is perhaps the most memorable part of the Sonata. Listening to Uchida now

[Pulcinella]

Recommended version:
Daniel-Ben Pienaar (piano)
Avie AV2209

Also added to OP.

[Nick Armstrong]

I particularly enjoyed the Glenn Gould

[Mandryka]

Recommended version:
Daniel-Ben Pienaar (piano)
Avie AV2209

Also added to OP.

Boots on piano

[Barbirollians]

Did Alf B get a mention ?

[HighlandDougie]

Between the extremes of Glenn Gould and Christian Blackshaw, Mitsuko Uchida and Daniel-Ben Pienaar were the middle ground of modern piano versions. I've rather erased the detail of what wasn't a very satisfying programme from my mind - and someone else might care to correct me if I'm wrong - but, no, I don't remember Brendel featuring.

[Barbirollians]

That's a shame - I had frgotten outside the box sets I have that I have a couple of records of his Mozart sonatas.Stpehen Plaistow was complimentary in Gramophone.

[Goon525]

That's a shame - I had frgotten outside the box sets I have that I have a couple of records of his Mozart sonatas.Stpehen Plaistow was complimentary in Gramophone.

Incidentally, Stephen Plaistow has just died. A good obituary by Peter Quantrill on the Gramophone website.

[Barbirollians]

Sad news - I had noticed he had finally stopped reviewing in Gramophone a year or so ago . He was an excellent reviewer of piano recordings and one whose judgement I trusted more than some of the others.