BaL 6.07.13 - Beethoven's Piano Sonata no. 32 in C minor Op. 111

[amateur51]

... a marvellous list from our Alpie : many thanks.

Among the 'original instrument' performances I also like Tom Beghin on a Johann Fritz of 1825.

Of those using more modern instruments I still like Charles Rosen very much.

Yves Nat probably a bit too wayward?

Eric Heidsieck?

Oh well done vints - Yves Nat! I must dig out the EMI Intégrale box

[Nick Armstrong]

How odd - I'm sure I posted yesterday evening, to thank EA for that amazing list; and to agree with

I look forward to DON's analysis of the piece as much as to the choosing

- Nozza's BALs are always among the most enjoyable

As regards Op 111, I too had the

Pollini box set of late sonatas which was my staple for many years

first on cassette, then on CD. I still think it's tremendous - but it's one of those performances that's so engrained in my brain that I struggle with the sense that 'that's how the piece should go'... and obviously there are many other ways to skin the cat.

Solomon's reading is the only one I've added over the years.

I thought the French critics had looked at the piece recently but it was in fact Op. 110 (Barenboim's 1968 recording won their approval, over Backhaus, Schnabel, Nat, Pollini and Kovacevich, but I didn't really like DB's way with the piece)

I'm going to be fascinated by this BAL.

[BBMmk2]

I have Barenboim (live) DVD 2005, and his earlier account on EMI(complete set) and Emil Gilels, not so complete cycle on DG

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Purely out of curiosity,EA, what criteria do you use for a work being officially available?

Ooooo. You've got me there.
I don't know whether or not a CD has been deleted, but I work on the premise that if it's only available new at a silly price, then it must be in extremely short supply.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I thought it might be useful to provide a link to the "Summer BAL" thread:

We'll let it run for a while as it is, but if it's OK with you, verismissimo, I'll merge the two threads within the next day or two.

[Black Swan]

Amongst younger pianists I have a great deal of time for Freddy Kempf's recording too . Uchida , though not so young is very fine too .

Such a shame Gilels died before he recorded Op111 - judging by his 101,106,109 &110.

I totally agree about Gilels his Hammerrklavier is one of my favorite recordings.

[pastoralguy]

And as you say, am51, he is a particularly fine player of Beethoven.

His set of the piano concertos with Gibson and the SNO for CfP is very good indeed. I really must listen to them again soon.

[amateur51]

There's a lovely performance by Katharina Wolpe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmEIHCiCTGI

and it's available from Presto ...

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Symposium/SYMPCD1214#listen

[download only ]

[gradus]

I do hope somebody records the Lill birthday cycle as it is many years since his recordings of these works were made and his is a voice to be heard.

[teamsaint]

Ooooo. You've got me there.
I don't know whether or not a CD has been deleted, but I work on the premise that if it's only available new at a silly price, then it must be in extremely short supply.

sorry EA, not trying to catch you out or anything . Keep up the brilliant work .

i guess the dividing line between available and unavailable is a little more blurred than it used to be.

[verismissimo]

We'll let it run for a while as it is, but if it's OK with you, verismissimo, I'll merge the two threads within the next day or two.

Good thinking!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Threads now merged.

[Andrew Preview]

I have just Pollini, Kovacevich (EMI) and Lewis. It's a while since I listened to any of them, but Kovacevich made the deepest impression. His performance is not the tidiest, and the recorded sound is less than ideal, but he seems to be living the music, rather than merely playing it. There are no half measures, and I rather like that. I'll try to have a listen to all three this week.

[BBMmk2]

Hows the Paul Lewis?

[umslopogaas]

Unsurprisingly to those who have read it, there have been several references to Thomas Mann's 'Doctor Faustus' in this thread. Could I implore anyone who has not read it to do so without further delay? It is mighty powerful stuff and it scared the daylights out of this agnostic biologist. Mann doesnt mess around with trivia, the whole novel is laden with large dark themes, but Leverkuhn's description of his conversation with ... Him ... and the final scene when He comes to collect his dues are enough to make stronger men than me hide behind the sofa.

To quote the back cover blurb: "... Mann's vast theme: the discord between genius and sanity." The mood music he summons for the final scene certainly creates a clashing discord.