Piano Sonatas Volume 3
$35.00
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BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonatas Volume 3
Jonathan Biss (piano)
[ Onyx / CD ]
Release Date: Sunday 29 December 2013
This item is currently out of stock. We expect to be able to supply it to you within 2 - 4 weeks from when you place your order.
1801 saw Beethoven's development of the piano sonata take a dramatic turn, testing the sonata's limits with a set of slow variations in lieu of a sonata allegro in op26, a multi-movement work played without pause in op27/1, and the remarkable opening movement of the 'Moonlight' op27/2. Operatic recitatives are incorporated into the 'Tempest' op31/2. These features are without precedent. Volume 3 of Jonathan Biss's acclaimed cycle of the sonatas contains two works from this year of experiment and innovation, though the innovations are less brazen - op28 'Pastorale' and the somewhat overlooked op31/1. The third sonata on this disc is one of the most famous of the 32 - The 'Waldstein', composed in 1803, is a work of life affirming spirit and energy. Jonathan's illustrated weekly talks on 'Discovering Beethoven's Sonatas' for the Curtis Institute had 32000 people sign up!
"three more admirable Beethoven performances from Jonathan Biss...There's great vitality in his reading of the first movement [of the Waldstein] and he's excellent at observing Beethoven's copious dynamic markings. In the development section his pianism has great dynamism and he brings out all the excitement in Beethoven's pulsating music." (MusicWeb)
"Of the three Op 31 sonatas, No 2 (the Tempest) and the splendid No 3 are much more familiar than No 1. But what a delight that one is, too, as Biss shows in a performance that brings out its wit and the subversive humour that Beethoven can never suppress for long." (Sunday Times)
"The warm sonic ambience and Biss's intelligent annotations make this release all the more worth consideration, even in a catalogue awash with world-class Beethoven sonata recordings." (Gramophone)
Tracks:
Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale'
Piano Sonata No. 16 in G major, Op. 31 No. 1
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 'Waldstein'
