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Beethoven: Moonlight, Waldstein, Appassionata / Ashkenazy (Penguin Music Classics Series)
John Fowles
Beethoven: Moonlight, Waldstein, Appassionata / Ashkenazy (Penguin Music Classics Series)
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (9) - Disc #1

This troika of piano sonatas shows off some of Beethoven's most crystalline writing: from the impressionistic, sensual Moonlight to the somewhat mournful Appassionata to the wonderful, intricate aural shoving match of Wald...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: John Fowles
Title: Beethoven: Moonlight, Waldstein, Appassionata / Ashkenazy (Penguin Music Classics Series)
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Decca
Release Date: 9/29/1998
Genre: Classical
Styles: Forms & Genres, Sonatas, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Romantic (c.1820-1910), Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 028946060223

Synopsis

Amazon.com
This troika of piano sonatas shows off some of Beethoven's most crystalline writing: from the impressionistic, sensual Moonlight to the somewhat mournful Appassionata to the wonderful, intricate aural shoving match of Waldstein. On the grounds of their sheer power, these three took novelist and erstwhile liner notician John Fowles by quiet storm. He writes in his notes to the CD that he's easily brought to tears, and that Beethoven "knew how to move people quasi-divinely." What happens in Ashkenazy's performance may--or may not--be divine. But what happens is certainly disruptive of calm, even while issuing forth a level of meditative quality that does ultimately serve to excite. There is no shortage of music in the classical annals that will astonish listeners with virtuosity and technical panache. These piano pieces will instead amaze the ears with their emotive powers, so much so that the technical brilliance of them--or Beethoven's entire late canon--might even escape the listening mind. And then you may be left, like John Fowles, crying. For more. --Andrew Bartlett

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CD Reviews

Outstanding playing of Beethoven's greatest solo works
Vidar Palsson | 09/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ashkenazy certainly has outdone even himself. The content of this album is timelessly unbelievable. I do believe it may be the greatest recording so far of the three "giant" Beethoven sonatas. Without spoiling the surprise amd wonder for those of you who have not yet experienced the magic, I can only promise that the 'Moonlight', the 'Appassionata' and the 'Waldstein' each hold delicious, hidden secrets as interpreted by the performer, and whisk you away into the mind of their composer each time you listen. A Great Escape, indeed! Give your ears a treat!"
One of the very best Moonlights
Vidar Palsson | Garšabęr, Iceland | 12/31/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ashkenazys recording of the Moonlight is one of the best on the market. It's my personal favorite recording of that work. Ashkenazys tecnique is brilliant and his musical insight is perfect. The other works are also on a the normal high standard that Ashkenazy is well known by. For this price it's not a question, this is the recording your'e looking for of the Moonlight."
Un-Beethoven like
Beethoven111 | Palo Alto, CA | 02/27/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ashkenazy's Beethoven playing is rather loud and brash, and it is more suited to the late romantic repertoire. I would more highly recommend the playing of the Beethoven specialists, such as Goode, Schnabel, and Brendel."