BaL 7.11.20 - Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat, Op 106 ‘Hammerklavier’

**Bryn** · 23-10-20, 22:40

I'm not sure whether or not it is included with the current edition of Rosen's The Classical Style but the one I have includes a CD with recordings of Rosen playing Opera 106 and 110 (different recordings from those on Sony/CBS). Also, Paul Badura-Skoda has at least four recordings available. Two on historic instruments and two on modern grands.

Looking more closely at the listings for the Outthere/ARCANA and Gramola listings, the historic instrument recordings in the two sets may be one and the same.

**Alison** · 24-10-20, 07:37

I vaguely recall F-F Guy won last time around.

**Mario** · 24-10-20, 07:46

Please forgive me for asking this question - I'm feeling a little lazy this morning. When does Building a Library go out on Radio 3? I've start searching the R3 schedules but gave up after a couple of days. I know I'm asking a mundane question, but I honestly have never listened to this programme, and the Hammerklavier is a rather important work for me.

Would I also be able to hear it on the iPlayer for 7 days?

Mario

**Bryn** · 24-10-20, 07:57

Hi Matio, Building a library is part of Record Review and is broadcast between 09:30 and 10:20 (UK local time) on Saturday mornings for most of the year. The details of the next one can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p08k . The Hammerklavier one is shown here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p6yh . It looks like this one will be an extended discussion, stretching to 10:45.

**Ein Heldenleben** · 24-10-20, 08:40

Thanks as ever for the list. Alpie - I know you don’t write the blurb but just to confirm I am not losing touch with reality does Beethoven’s late style , in so far as that can ever be summed up in a short sentence , really see a return to “classical sonata form” . And do any of the movements of the Hammerklavier exhibit that ? If the blurb had mentioned fugue or taking classical Sonata form apart ( in Op. 106 ) or compressing it to its barest essential in Op 101 I might have nodded in agreement . Who writes these blurbs ?

**Darloboy** · 24-10-20, 08:53

Originally posted by Alison View Post

I vaguely recall F-F Guy won last time around.

Yes, you’re right, in October 2006. Brendel 1995 was ‘Live Performance Choice’. Pollini (my favourite) was budget choice and Solomon was Historic Choice.

**Mario** · 24-10-20, 08:59

Originally posted by Bryn View Post

Hi Matio, Building a library is part of Record Review and is broadcast between 09:30 and 10:20 (UK local time) on Saturday mornings for most of the year. The details of the next one can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p08k . The Hammerklavier one is shown here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p6yh . It looks like this one will be an extended discussion, stretching to 10:45.

Thanks Bryn. I'm just checking to see if it'll be repeated on iPlayer as it's almost finished now.

Mario

Twit! It's on the 7th November, correct?

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 24-10-20, 09:13

I generally include the starting time at the beginning of the opening post.

**Mario** · 24-10-20, 09:21

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

I generally include the starting time at the beginning of the opening post.

I stand corrected. My apologies.

Mario

**Pulcinella** · 24-10-20, 10:37

Apart from a BBC MM CD recording (Edith Vogel, Volume 2, number 7), the only version that has insinuated itself into my shelves (when my partner and I combined our collections) is by Barry Douglas, released in 1988 and now nla.
My partner tells me it's very good.
I'll trust his judgement (always a good idea to agree!).

In a show of complete ignorance (not difficult on this forum with music that's 'not my period'), I have discovered that the ancient volume of sonatas I have (too kindly given to me by a neighbour), published by Bosworth and Co, but sadly with no date, is edited by Franz Liszt (though in a new edition revised by Edward Watson).
In this edition, the sonatas are handily arranged in order of difficulty, so, not surprisingly, Op 106 is the last.

I assume that other editions are now available, or does Liszt still rule the day?

**Ein Heldenleben** · 24-10-20, 11:14

Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

Apart from a BBC MM CD recording (Edith Vogel, Volume 2, number 7), the only version that has insinuated itself into my shelves (when my partner and I combined our collections) is by Barry Douglas, released in 1988 and now nla.
My partner tells me it's very good.
I'll trust his judgement (always a good idea to agree!).

In a show of complete ignorance (not difficult on this forum with music that's 'not my period), I have discovered that the ancient volume of sonatas I have (too kindly given to me by a neighbour), published by Bosworth and Co, but sadly with no date, is edited by Franz Liszt (though in a new edition revised by Edward Watson).
In this edition, the sonatas are handily arranged in order of difficulty, so, not surprisingly, Op 106 is the last.

I assume that other editions are now available, or does Liszt still rule the day?

I don’t know the Liszt edition but I would suspect it’s a bit out of date
The standard edition , used I would suspect by most performers is the 2 vol Urtext published by Henle. It is said to be the closest to Beethoven’s concept and draws on early publications authorised by LVB and manuscript. It’s clearly printed and has good fingering.
There’s also the Associated Board 2 vol edition. Ed by Craxton and Tovey that most amateurs will be familiar with as it’s still used I think in the AB exams - could be wrong as I’m not a teacher. The fingerings are ok but I don’t like the schoolmarmish tone of some of it.
I used to have the 2 vol Schirmer edition Ed by I think Hans Von Bulow . I really liked it but it seems to have disappeared - other younger pianists in the household !
I also had the Schnabel edition which is really interesting - full of unusual fingerings and his own phrasing. Full of silent finger changes - but it’s very overset with phrase markings.
In sum I don’t think you can go wrong with the Urtext ..

**vinteuil** · 24-10-20, 11:18

Originally posted by Heldenleben View Post

There’s also the Associated Board 2 vol edition. Ed by Craxton and Tovey that most amateurs will be familiar with as it’s still used I think in the AB exams - could be wrong as I’m not a teacher. The fingerings are ok but I don’t like the schoolmarmish tone of some of it. ..

... the Tovey ABRSM edn now superseded by this one :

Ludwig van Beethoven - The 35 Piano Sonatas, Volumes 1–3

https://shop.abrsm.org/shop/prod/Beethoven-Ludwig-van-The-35-Piano-Sonatas-Volumes-1-3/2003376

Sheet Music - £70.00 - A critical edition of the 35 piano sonatas by Professor Barry Cooper, renowned Beethoven specialist

.

**Ein Heldenleben** · 24-10-20, 11:27

Originally posted by vinteuil View Post

... the Tovey ABRSM edn now superseded by this one :

Ludwig van Beethoven - The 35 Piano Sonatas, Volumes 1–3

https://shop.abrsm.org/shop/prod/Beethoven-Ludwig-van-The-35-Piano-Sonatas-Volumes-1-3/2003376

Sheet Music - £70.00 - A critical edition of the 35 piano sonatas by Professor Barry Cooper, renowned Beethoven specialist

.

Thanks Vints - does supersede mean better ? Can I justify another 2 vols particularly as I was thinking of going hardback on the Urtext? I’ve also just found a Huge one vol 1 1906 edition Ed. Buonamici currently used to stop all the soft cover music getting bent on the shelves...
Just looked it up .,looks excellent ..thanks

**jayne lee wilson** · 24-10-20, 12:34

One of those works I'd find it almost impossible to favoritise....

I've run through Kempff mono and stereo, a few Richters, later Gulda .....probably more on the shelves that I've forgotten.... a work I can become utterly obsessed with especially the slow movement, one of Beethoven's very greatest. I overplayed it at times, possibly why I never remember getting around to the period pianos... good time to start as we head into another grim, dark winter...

It does seem to stand apart, whereas many of Beethoven's finest Sonatas belong in groups or within stylistic trends, composed within a few opuses of each other...
Opus 106 is a Magnum Opus in every sense...iconic.

Cf.....Robert Simpson's Symphony No.10 which seems closely modelled on the shape, movement order and structure of the Hammerklavier and also has a sublime, extended slow movement..........

BaL 7.11.20 - Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat, Op 106 ‘Hammerklavier’

BaL 7.11.20 - Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat, Op 106 ‘Hammerklavier’

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