Search - Ludwig van Beethoven :: Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No14; Sonatas for piano No12

Revelatory Performances

Christopher Smith | Atlanta, Georgia | 06/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I mostly bought this recording because it couples the opus 26 ("Funeral March") and opus 27/1 sonatas, which are two outstanding, underrated and mostly ignored Beethoven pieces. Along with the "Moonlight" sonata and the Opus 28 "Pastoral," this period of Beethoven's musical production was dedicated to impressionistic, programmatic piano sonatas, of which the "Moonlight" is the most famous. Yet to my mind the "Funeral March" and the op.27/1 need not stand in the shadow of the "Moonlight." With these three sonatas together on the same recording (as well as the rather strange choice of the opus 49/1--it would have been perfect if Philips had gone all the way and put the "Pastoral" sonata on this disk), we have some truly sumptuous selections that really encapsulate a crucial and fascinating point in the young Beethoven's development.Brendel has always seemed a very able but somewhat pedestrian Beethoveenian to me, and I usually prefer Arrau and Gilels. However, his latest cycle illustrates the kind of visionary intensity that great pianists often assume toward the end of their careers. These pieces have all Brendel's signature clarity, but there is a dreaminess about the famous opening movement of the "Moonlight" that made me look at this warhorse in a completely different way. He also handles the variations in op.26 with remarkable foresight and control. I have always loved Brendel's Schubert, but I think I'll have to check out more of this Beethoven cycle."