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Beethoven: Kreutzer, Spring Sonatas / Perlman, Ashkenazy
Ludwig van Beethoven, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Beethoven: Kreutzer, Spring Sonatas / Perlman, Ashkenazy
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (7) - Disc #1

Hands down, this is the recording to own of two of Beethoven's chamber music masterpieces, the Kreutzer and Spring Sonatas. It captures one of classical music's greatest duos--Vladimir Ashkenazy and Itzhak Perlman--at the ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ludwig van Beethoven, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Title: Beethoven: Kreutzer, Spring Sonatas / Perlman, Ashkenazy
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Decca
Release Date: 9/14/1999
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Instruments, Strings
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 028945861821

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording
Hands down, this is the recording to own of two of Beethoven's chamber music masterpieces, the Kreutzer and Spring Sonatas. It captures one of classical music's greatest duos--Vladimir Ashkenazy and Itzhak Perlman--at the height of their powers, and the results are glorious, made only better by a great digital remastering. The 1973 recording of the Kreutzer is filled with impassioned playing (particularly in the case of Perlman) and spot-on tonality. The first movement is unbelievably riveting in the duo's capable hands. Spring is slightly more restrained, but just as beautiful. Simply gorgeous. --Jason Verlinde

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CD Reviews

One for the Ages
bibliomane01 | 06/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata for Violin and Piano is probably the most famous piece ever written for these two instruments. It is ironic that most people associate it with the story by Tolstoy, because the middle movement (andante with variations) features some of the most serenely beautiful music ever written and the tone of the piece overall is a world away from the harsh emotions pervading Tolstoy's grim tale of adultery and revenge.Reissued in the new Decca Legends series (a belated response to the hugely successful DG Originals?), this recording of the Kreutzer is my choice for the greatest performance of this work available on CD. Gideon Kremer and Martha Argerich run a close second and Maxim Vengerov is very impressive indeed in his rendition with Alexander Markovich, but in my view you just can't beat Perlman and Ashkenazy's truly "legendary" showing. The eloquence and power of their reading is unique, and the recording is as close to perfect as one is likely to get. Coupled with a fine performance of the Spring Sonata, this album is one of the stars of my collection."
It really is that great
peederj | San Francisco, CA USA | 03/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The other reviewers here (at time of writing, they were all 5-stars) aren't exaggerating. I sing each movement of these sonatas impulsively and I cannot find opportunity for improvement in either the music or the performance.This would be a good disc to give as a gift. I cannot imagine a negative response. This is the sublime, and it transcends petty stylistic considerations. There is no room for argument here."
Soul stirring Performance!!!
bibliomane01 | 03/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is easily one of my Prized possessions -These are among the finest pieces of Music ever composed and this performance by Perlman and Ashkenazy is truly a glorious one reminding us that
'A THING OF BEAUTY IS JOY FOREVER'.Of the two sonatas the SPRING is my favourite.What a longing and Poignancy Perlman brings in the opening movement and Ashkenazy is a perfect match in Restrained Elegance and Heroic Poise.The second movement is highly contemplative one and plumbing great depths.The anguish seems to have been resolved through some deep understanding and in the Third movement there is already a sense of having come to terms and a certain elan.The playing throughout is of the hightened sensitivity-truly marvellous.In these troubled times we cannot do better than to listen to these masterpieces by these truly great artists in order to revive our faith that there is within us the power to transform -the power of compassion!"