Yesterday I received the new DG set of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, played by Rudolf Buchbinder and recorded live in 2014 at the Salzburg Festival. Obviously I have not yet been able to listen to every sonata, but my first impressions are generally favourable. Thinking back to the set he recorded for Teldec (now on Warner Classics) in the early 1980s, Buchbinder's general approach seems to have changed less than I would have expected in over 30 years. Some of his tempo are now slower than in the 80s but others are slightly faster. Of those I have heard in both versions, I prefer the later Apassionata but the earlier op27 pair. I hope to hear the last three sonatas today - one might expect a preference for the later versions of these works but I will have to see!
Obviously I have not yet been able to compare with other complete sets (Brendel's digital set and Badura-Skoda on period pianos) that I have, nor with a number of recordings of individual sonatas by other pianists of various vintages. I would be interested to hear other members' views if they have yet heard any of the latest set.
One small issue with the new set - applause has been retained after each sonata. It was well-deserved but surely will not stand repetition in home listening. Do others feel the same way or are they happy to hear the applause on each listening to a live recording (of any music). In the sonatas I have heard so far, the audience has been absolutely silent throughout the works, even between movements; if there were no applause or information in the booklet note, I might not have realised that these were recorded live.
Obviously I have not yet been able to compare with other complete sets (Brendel's digital set and Badura-Skoda on period pianos) that I have, nor with a number of recordings of individual sonatas by other pianists of various vintages. I would be interested to hear other members' views if they have yet heard any of the latest set.
One small issue with the new set - applause has been retained after each sonata. It was well-deserved but surely will not stand repetition in home listening. Do others feel the same way or are they happy to hear the applause on each listening to a live recording (of any music). In the sonatas I have heard so far, the audience has been absolutely silent throughout the works, even between movements; if there were no applause or information in the booklet note, I might not have realised that these were recorded live.