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Olaf Bär: Beethoven Lieder

1446466
Item number 1446466
Label EMI Classics Special Import
Orig Year 10/1/1993
Catalog number 54879
Discs 1
Release Date Sep 12, 2000
51+brQ3ipzL

MI0002908058

1988 Beethoven: 5 Klavierkonzerte; Chorfantasie DG Deutsche Grammophon
419796

Track Listing – Disc 1

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
1
Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 17:28
2
Largo
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 11:30
3
Rondo. Allegro scherzando
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 8:45
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19
4
Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 13:50
5
Adagio
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 8:57
6
Rondo. Molto allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 5:55

Track Listing – Disc 2
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
1
Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 15:53
2
Largo
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 9:36
3
Rondo. Allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 9:14
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
4
Allegro moderato
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 17:17
5
Andante con moto
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 5:06
6
Rondo. Vivace
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 10:08

Track Listing – Disc 3
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73
1
Allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 20:29
2
Adagio un poco mosso – attacca
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 8:04
3
Rondo. Allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 10:18
Fantasy for piano, chorus & orchestra in C minor, Op. 80
4
Adagio
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 3:18
5
Finale. Allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 6:14
6
Adagio, ma non troppo
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 2:40
7
Marcia, assai vivace
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 2:11
8
Allegretto, ma non troppo (Quasi Andante con moto)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 2:14
9
Presto
Ludwig van Beethoven
Maurizio Pollini
 1:36

MI0002908059

Complete Overtures, 36 Dances

BeethovenCompleteOvertures

  • Audio CD
  • Original Release Date: 1975
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Label: Philips/Musical Heritage Society
  • Run Time: 153.00 minutes
  • ASIN: B013NUOH4I
BeethovenCompleteOvertures1
The 9 Symphonies
815Vijs12GL._SX522_
GTIN13: 0028947492429
Verschijningsdatum: 11. mei 2004
Aantal discs 5
Aantal tracks: 38
Speelduur: 366:37

Uitgever Deutsche Grammophon Universal Music Distribution
Artiest(en) Leonard Bernstein L Beethoven
Componist(en)Beethoven
Dirigent(en)Leonard Bernstein
Ensemble(s)Wiener Philharmoniker
Uitvoering Cd (album), 5 disks, 38 tracks, Speelduur: 497:10
Oorspronkelijke release 2004-01-01
Verpakking JewelCase
Releasedatum 01 januari 2004
EAN 0028947492429

Disk 1 (CD)

  • 1 1. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
    09:25 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 2 2. Andante cantabile con moto
    08:14 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 3 3. Menuetto Allegro molto e vivace
    03:19 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 4 4. Finale Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace
    05:42 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 5 1. Allegro con brio
    17:42 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 6 2. Marcia funebre Adagio assai
    17:40 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 7 3. Scherzo Allegro vivace
    06:13 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 8 4. Finale Allegro molto
    11:48 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van

Disk 2 (CD)

  • 1 1. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
    13:27 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 2 2. Larghetto
    12:28 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 3 3. Scherzo Allegro
    03:35 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 4 4. Allegro molto
    06:18 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 5 1. Adagio – Allegro vivace
    11:29 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 6 2. Adagio
    10:02 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 7 3. Allegro vivace
    05:57 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 8 4. Allegro ma non troppo
    06:49 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van

Disk 3 (CD)

  • 1 1. Allegro con brio
    08:38 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 2 2. Andante con moto
    10:20 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 3 3. Allegro
    05:23 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 4 4. Allegro
    11:16 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 5 1. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande: Allegro ma non troppo
    11:43 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 6 2. Szene am Bach: Andante molto mosso
    13:29 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 7 3. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute Allegro
    05:25 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 8 4. Gewitter, Sturm Allegro
    03:43 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 9 5. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm: Allegretto (Original Version)
    10:18 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van

Disk 4 (CD)

  • 1 1. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
    14:17 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 2 2. Allegretto
    08:48 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 3 3. Presto – Assai meno presto
    09:00 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 4 4. Allegro con brio
    07:03 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 5 1. Allegro vivace e con brio
    09:45 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 6 2. Allegretto scherzando
    04:01 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 7 3. Tempo di menuetto
    04:50 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 8 4. Allegro vivace
    07:26 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van

Disk 5 (CD)

  • 1 1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
    15:20 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 2 2. Molto vivace
    11:19 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 3 3. Adagio molto e cantabile
    17:52 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 4 4. Presto –
    07:46 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van
  • 5 Presto- “O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!” -Allegro assai (4. Presto)
    18:47 Bernstein,Leonard/Jones/Schwarz/Kollo/Moll/WP/+ / Beethoven, Ludwig van

71jUWHsBF-L._SX522_

MI0000978627

1991 Beethoven: Fidelio Philips 426308 CD

2010 Beethoven: Fidelio Decca 4782485 CD

2012 Beethoven: Fidelio Decca 4784139 CD

71eTwSU6i0L._SL1400_

Disc: 1

  1. Fidelio: Ouvertüre
  2. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Jetzt, Schatzchen, jetzt sind wir allein’ – (Jaquino, Marzelline)
  3. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Der arme Jaquino dauert mich’ – (Marzelline)
  4. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘O war ich schon mit dir vereint’ – (Marzelline)
  5. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Marzelline, ist Fidelio noch nicht zuruck?’ – (Rocco, Marzelline, Leonore)
  6. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Mir ist so wunderbar’ – (Rocco, Marzelline, Leonore, Jaquino)
  7. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Hore, Fidelio’ – (Rocco, Marzelline)
  8. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Hat man nicht auch Gold beineben’ – (Rocco)
  9. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Ihr konnt das leicht sagen, Meister Rocco’ – (Leonore, Rocco, Marzelline)
  10. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Gut, Sohnchen, gut’ – (Rocco, Leonore, Marzelline)
  11. Fidelio: Act 1: Nr. 6 Marsch
  12. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Drei Schildwachen auf den Wall’ – (Pizarro, Rocco)
  13. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Ha! Welch ein Augenblick!’ – (Pizarro)
  14. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Hauptmann! Besteigen Sie mit einem Trompeter…’ – (Pizarro, Rocco)
  15. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Jetzt, Alter, jetzt hat es Eile!’ – (Pizarro, Rocco)
  16. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?’ – (Leonore)
  17. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Meister, Rocco, Ihr verspracht mir so oft’ – (Leonore, Rocco, Marzelline)
  18. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘O welche Lust, in freier Luft den Atem leicht zu heben!’ – (Prisoners’ Chorus)
  19. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Nun sprecht, wie ging’s?’ – (Leonore, Rocco, Marzelline, Jaquino, Pizarro)
  20. Fidelio: Act 1: ‘Leb wohl, du warmes Sonnenlicht’ – (Marzelline, Leonore, Jaquino, Pizarro, Rocco)

Disc: 2

  1. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘Gott! Welch Dunkel hier!’ – (Florestan)
  2. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘Wie kalt ist es in diesem unterirdischen Gewolbe’ – (Rocco, Leonore)
  3. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘Er erwacht’ – (Leonore, Rocco, Florestan)
  4. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘Euch werde Lohn in bessern Welten’ – (Florestan, Rocco, Leonore)
  5. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘Alles ist bereit’ – (Rocco, Leonore, Florestan, Pizarro)
  6. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘Er sterbe! Doch er soll erst wissen’ – (Pizarro, Florestan, Leonore, Rocco, Jaquino)
  7. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘Meine Leonore, was hast du fur mich getan’ – (Florestan, Leonore)
  8. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘O namenlose Freude’ – (Leonore, Florestan)
  9. Fidelio: Act 2: ‘Heil sei dem Tag’ – (Fernando, Rocco, Pizarro, Leonore, Marzelline, Jaquino)
  10. Fidelio: Ouvertüre (Leonore III) Op. 72a
Beethoven_Fidelio_4782485Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827)
Fidelio, Op.72 (1814)
redball7 Jessye Norman (soprano) – Leonore; Reiner Goldberg (tenor) – Florestan; Ekkehard Wlaschiha (baritone) – Pizarro; Kurt Moll (bass) – Rocco; Pamela Coburn (soprano) – Marzelline; Hans Peter Blochwitz (tenor) – Jacquino; Andreas Schmidt (baritone) – Don Fernando; Wolfgang Millgramm (tenor) – First Prisoner; Egbert Junghanns (bass) – Second Prisoner.
Dresden State Opera Chorus; Staatskapelle Dresden/Bernard Haitink.
rec. Dresden, Studio Lukaskirche, November 1989. DDD
redball7 DECCA 478 2485
R-6095578-1410960639-3657.jpeg

Even before it was released this recording had the look of a winning combination: Haitink had successfully conducted “Fidelio” at the Met and in 1989 Jessye Norman was still in possession of the grandest voice since Flagstad in her prime. In the event, despite its promise and the desirability of a new interpretation in digital sound, this set turned out to be a disappointment. In Norman’s case, a noble voice proved inadequate if it was not paired with the sense of drama and acute facility with the text evinced by rival interpreters such as Ludwig or Nilsson. Haitink seems to have jettisoned the excitement which apparently characterised his live performances in favour of a literalism which borders on the inert. It is not so much the case that his speeds are slow, as that he fails to phrase and that rhythms remain slack.

This melancholy conclusion holds good throughout a side-by-side comparison of the main features of this recording with those of the earlier sets conducted by Klemperer and Maazel. Take the famous Prisoners’ Chorus; Klemperer generates spiritual intensity, Maazel a searing desperation, and Haitink … well, virtually nothing other than a serviceable run-through. As Florestan and Pizarro, Vickers and Berry for Klemperer and McCracken and Krause for Maazel have twice the power of the generally light-voiced or simply inadequate singers available to Haitink. The tenor First Prisoner is dreadful. Andreas Schmidt has an attractive baritone with a fast vibrato, but can in no wise emulate the frisson that Franz Crass’s noble baritone creates for Klemperer when Don Fernando arrives to punish evildoers. I am mystified to read elsewhere rapturous appreciations of Wlaschiha’s windy, grainy Pizarro; wholly unable to conjure up the Grand Guignol of his predecessors’ assumptions through vocal means alone; he shouts and blusters his way through the part. Reiner Goldberg was probably at that time the best tenor of the type required that Decca could find. Even so, I have heard him sing with fuller, more attractive tone in other roles. Here his tone is frequently throttled. In comparison with both his stage wife and his illustrious recorded forebears, his inadequacy is all too plain to hear; he is like a male spider, vocally devoured by his mate.

There are bright spots. The glory of Norman’s singing as singing per se is one – yet even Norman’s vocalism sounds to me at times not so much uncomfortable as manufactured in the upper reaches of her voice: the top Bs and B flats sound disjointed from the rest of the voice and I have already noted her lack of engagement with the text. Kurt Moll’s Rocco is almost a case of over-casting but he is as firm and as sonorous as ever, and makes much more of his words than Norman – even if his is a rather noble sound for a character who extols the joys of money. The dialogue is clearly, intelligently and pacily delivered. The Dresden Staatskapelle and the State Opera Chorus are fine – but the latter are outshone by both Wilhelm Pitz’s Philharmonia Chorus and the Vienna State Opera Choir, who sing with more power and expressivity. The recorded sound in the Lukaskirche is warm and spacious. There is some sweet, innocuous singing from the young lovers, Pamela Coburn and Hans Peter Blochwitz. Yet even the divine quartet “Mir ist so wunderbar” fails to take off; I turned with relief from Haitink’s stodgy version to Klemperer’s glowing account.

Comparisons are odorous, but unless you are a die-hard Jessye Norman fan-completist, or must have digital sound, I can see no good reason for preferring this to the classic versions by Klemperer and Maazel – or, for some tastes, those by Karajan and Bernstein.

This 2 CD set is one of a new series of bargain issues by Decca in crude, 1960s pop-art style sporting hideous, acidic colours. Despite their appearance, they are very good value, even if there is no libretto.

R-6095578-1410960646-4772.jpeg
5099945744921
Ode an die Freude – Best of Beethoven
Claudio Arrau, Yehudi Menuhin, David Oistrach, Berliner Philharmoniker,Philadelphia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan, Riccardo Muti
  • 1.Satz aus der Symphonie Nr. 3; Für Elise; 2.Satz aus der Klaviersonate Nr. 8; Egmont-Ouvertüre; 2.Satz aus der Klaviersonate Nr. 23; Romanze für Violine/& Orchester Nr. 2; 3.Satz aus dem Septett op. 20; Menuett WoO 10 Nr. 2; 2.Satz aus dem Erzherzog-Trio; Gefangenenchor aus Fidelio; 3.Satz aus der Kreutzer-Sonate; 2.Satz aus der Symphonie Nr. 8; Ode an die Freude aus der Symphonie Nr. 9
  • Künstler: Claudio Arrau, Yehudi Menuhin, David Oistrach, Berliner Philharmoniker, Philadelphia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan, Riccardo Muti u. a.
  • Label: Warner, ADD/DDD
  • Bestellnummer: 4556220
  • Erscheinungstermin: 20.11.2009
  • Serie: Insp!ration

1 Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55, “Eroica”: I. Allegro con brio
von Kurt Sanderling
6:28
2 Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59, “Für Elise”
von Dame Moura Lympany
3:20
3 Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique”: II. Adagio cantabile
von Walter Gieseking
5:47
4 Egmont, Op. 84: Overture (Sostenuto, ma non troppo – Allegro)
von Kurt Sanderling
8:50
5 Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, “Appassionata”: I. Allegro assai (Excerpt, Opening)
von Claudio Arrau
5:11
6 Romance for Violin No. 2 in F Major, Op. 50
von Josef Suk/Sir Neville Marriner/Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields
8:28
7 Septet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20: III. Tempo di Menuetto – Trio
von Melos Ensemble
3:10
8 6 Minuets, WoO 10: No. 2 in G Major (Moderato)
von Dame Moura Lympany
2:54
9 Piano Trio in B Flat, Op.97 ‘Archduke’ (1996 Remastered Version): II. Scherzo (Allegro) & Coda
von David Oistrakh/Sviatoslav Knushevitsky/Lev Oborin
6:55
10 Fidelio, Op. 72, Act 1: No. 10, Final “O welche Lust” (Chorus of Prisoners)
von Herbert von Karajan/Berliner Philharmoniker
7:19
11 Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47, “Kreutzer”: III. Finale (Presto)
von Yehudi Menuhin/Jeremy Menuhin
7:18
12 Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93: II. Allegretto scherzando
von Philharmonia Orchestra/Kurt Sanderling
4:25
13 Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125: ‘Ode to Joy’
von James Morris
6:14

517nFK8O+-L

71Fvfse1Z4L._SL1252_

GTIN13: 0028948040032
Verschijningsdatum: 15. oktober 2010
Aantal discs 12
Aantal tracks: 120
Speelduur: 839:46

Disk 1

  • 1 1. Allegro con brio (Original Version)
    17:22 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Largo
    11:43 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Rondo Allegro scherzando (Original Version)
    09:05 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 1. Allegro con brio
    14:00 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 2. Adagio
    09:07 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 3. Rondo Molto allegro
    06:17 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 2

  • 1 1. Allegro con brio (Original Version)
    16:59 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Largo
    10:01 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Rondo Allegro (Original Version)
    09:01 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 1. Allegro moderato
    17:37 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 2. Andante con moto
    04:45 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 3. Rondo Vivace
    10:14 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 3

  • 1 1. Allegro
    20:49 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Adagio un poco mosso
    08:03 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Rondo Allegro
    10:24 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 1. Adagio (Original Version)
    03:48 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 2. Finale: a Allegro – Meno allegro – Allegro molto – Adagio ma non troppo – Marcia, assai vivace (Original Version)
    11:58 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 2. Finale: b Allegro – Allegretto ma non troppo quasi Andante con moto – Presto (Original Version)
    04:51 Brendel, Alfred / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 4

  • 1 1. Allegro (Nr. 1 f-moll)
    06:17 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Adagio (Nr. 1 f-moll)
    04:55 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Menuetto Allegretto (Nr. 1 f-moll)
    03:24 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 4. Prestissimo (Nr. 1 f-moll)
    05:23 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 1. Allegro vivace (Nr. 2 A-dur)
    07:09 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 2. Largo appassionato (Nr. 2 A-dur)
    06:27 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 3. Scherzo Allegretto (Nr. 2 A-dur)
    03:30 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 4. Rondo Grazioso (Nr. 2 A-dur)
    06:53 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 9 1. Allegro con brio (Nr. 3 C-dur)
    10:13 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 10 2. Adagio (Nr. 3 C-dur)
    07:30 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 11 3. Scherzo Allegro (Nr. 3 C-dur)
    03:07 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 12 4. Allegro assai (Nr. 3 C-dur)
    05:16 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 5

  • 1 1. Allegro molto e con brio
    08:36 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Largo, con gran espressione
    08:58 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Allegro
    05:27 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 4. Rondo Poco allegretto e grazioso
    07:37 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 1. Allegro molto e con brio (Nr. 5 c-moll)
    05:44 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 2. Adagio molto (Nr. 5 c-moll)
    09:01 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 3. Finale Prestissimo (Nr. 5 c-moll)
    04:21 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 1. Allegro (Nr. 6 F-dur)
    05:21 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 9 2. Allegretto (Nr. 6 F-dur)
    04:50 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 10 3. Presto (Nr. 6 F-dur)
    03:52 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 6

  • 1 1. Presto (Nr. 7 D-dur)
    06:51 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Largo e mesto (Nr. 7 D-dur)
    10:40 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Menuetto Allegro (Nr. 7 D-dur)
    02:45 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 4. Rondo Allegro (Nr. 7 D-dur)
    04:08 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 1. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio
    09:40 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 2. Adagio cantabile
    05:20 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 3. Rondo Allegro
    04:31 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 1. Allegro (Original Version)
    07:24 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 9 2. Allegretto (Original Version)
    03:36 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 10 3. Rondo Allegro comodo (Original Version)
    03:32 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 11 1. Allegro (Nr. 2 G-dur)
    07:53 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 12 2. Andante (Nr. 2 G-dur)
    05:27 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 13 3. Scherzo Allegro assai (Nr. 2 G-dur)
    03:52 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 7

  • 1 1. Allegro con brio
    07:21 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Adagio con molto espressione
    06:40 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Menuetto
    03:20 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 4. Rondo Allegretto
    06:27 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 1. Andante con variazioni
    08:39 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 2. Scherzo Allegro molto
    02:59 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 3. Marcia funebre sulla morte d’un Eroe
    05:30 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 4. Allegro
    03:18 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 9 1. Andante – Allegro – Tempo I (Nr. 13 Es-dur Nr. 1)
    04:35 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 10 2. Allegro molto e vivace (Nr. 13 Es-dur Nr. 1)
    02:00 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 11 3. Adagio con espressione (Nr. 13 Es-dur Nr. 1)
    02:48 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 12 4. Allegro vivace – Tempo I – Presto (Nr. 13 Es-dur Nr. 1)
    05:54 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 13 1. Adagio sostenuto (Nr. 14 cis-moll Nr. 2 “Mondscheinsonate”)
    06:02 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 14 2. Allegretto (Nr. 14 cis-moll Nr. 2 “Mondscheinsonate”)
    02:26 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 15 3. Presto (Nr. 14 cis-moll Nr. 2 “Mondscheinsonate”)
    07:32 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 8

  • 1 1. Allegro
    10:41 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Andante
    06:48 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Scherzo Allegro assai
    02:18 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 4. Rondo Allegro ma non troppo
    05:21 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 1. Allegro vivace (Nr. 1 G-dur)
    06:04 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 2. Adagio grazioso (Nr. 1 G-dur)
    11:06 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 3. Rondo Allegretto (Nr. 1 G-dur)
    06:53 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 1. Largo – Allegro (Nr. 2 d-moll “Der Sturm”)
    08:49 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 9 2. Adagio (Nr. 2 d-moll “Der Sturm”)
    08:25 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 10 3. Allegretto (Nr. 2 d-moll “Der Sturm”)
    06:46 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 9

  • 1 1. Allegro (Nr. 3 Es-dur “Die Jagd”)
    08:53 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Scherzo Allegretto vivace (Nr. 3 Es-dur “Die Jagd”)
    04:52 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Menuetto Moderato e grazioso (Nr. 3 Es-dur “Die Jagd”)
    04:12 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 4. Presto con fuoco (Nr. 3 Es-dur “Die Jagd”)
    04:39 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 1. Andante (Nr. 1 g-moll)
    04:31 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 2. Rondo Allegro (Nr. 1 g-moll)
    03:34 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 1. Allegro ma non troppo (Nr. 2 G-dur)
    04:48 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 2. Tempo di Menuetto (Nr. 2 G-dur)
    03:52 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 9 1. Allegro con brio
    10:43 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 10 2. Introduzione Adagio molto
    04:22 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 11 3. Rondo Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo
    09:55 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 12 1. In Tempo d’un Menuetto
    06:09 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 13 2. Allegretto
    06:22 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 10

  • 1 1. Allegro assai
    09:50 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Andante con moto
    06:39 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Allegro ma non troppo
    08:11 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 1. Adagio cantabile – Allegro ma non troppo
    07:23 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 2. Allegro vivace
    02:51 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 1. Presto alla tedesca
    04:43 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 2. Andante
    02:38 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 3. Vivace
    01:57 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 9 1. Das Lebewohl Adagio – Allegro
    07:14 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 10 2. Abwesendheit Andante espressivo
    03:57 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 11 3. Das Wiedersehn Vivacissimamente
    05:51 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 12 1. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
    05:48 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 13 2. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen
    08:16 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 11

  • 1 1. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung Allegretto ma non troppo (Original Version)
    04:14 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Lebhaft, marschmäßig Vivace alla marcia (Original Version)
    06:13 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll Adagio ma non troppo, con affetto (Original Version)
    02:58 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 4. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossen- heit Allegro (Original Version)
    08:14 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 1. Allegro
    11:41 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 2. Scherzo Assai vivace – Presto – Prestissimo – Tempo I
    02:39 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 3. Adagio sostenuto
    19:35 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 4. Largo – Allegro risoluto
    12:18 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

Disk 12

  • 1 1. Vivace, ma non troppo – Adagio espressivo – Tempo I
    03:55 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 2 2. Prestissimo
    02:29 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 3 3. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo
    13:35 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 4 1. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo (Original Version)
    06:48 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 5 2. Allegro molto (Original Version)
    01:44 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 6 3. Adagio ma non troppo (Original Version)
    10:36 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 7 1. Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato
    09:00 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven
  • 8 2. Arietta Adagio molto semplice e cantabile
    17:21 Brendel,Alfred/CSO/Levine,James / Ludwig van Beethoven

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MI0003494334

Following his recordings on Deutsche Grammophon of music by Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, Chinese pianist Yundi Li takes on the three most popular piano sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven, the “Pathétique,” “Moonlight,” and “Appassionata.” Known for having brilliant technique and dynamic showmanship, Yundi plays against type in these beloved works, which call for more introspection and expressiveness than might be expected from him. Even though the outer movements of “Pathétique” and “Appassionata” and the last movement of “Moonlight” give Yundi ample opportunity to demonstrate his agility, power, and high energy, they are relatively restrained, compared to the kind of virtuosic fare that made him an international star. Furthermore, the Classical impulse that informed these sonatas calls for a balance of moods, not just bravura playing. The slow movements let Yundi show he is more than just a flashy technician, and he gives carefully considered performances that work, albeit as fairly Romantic readings. Because Beethoven’s piano sonatas have been interpreted and recorded by pianists too numerous to count, it’s easy to dismiss performances that fall short of the great recordings of the past, especially any that seem addressed to a mainstream audience. Yundi’s CD will not impress connoisseurs who have already settled on their favorite recordings, though casual listeners may like what Yundi does with the music and learn more about Beethoven as a result.

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2012 Beethoven: Pathétique, Moonlight, AppassionataUniversal
4810099 CD

2012 Beethoven: Pathétique, Moonlight, Appassionata Deutsche Grammophon
4765049 CD

2012 Beethoven: Pathétique, Moonlight, Appassionata [SHM-CD & DVD] Deutsche Grammophon
UCCG-9991 CD & DVD

2016 Beethoven: Pathétique, Moonlight, Appassionata Deutsche Grammophon
UCCG-51084 CD

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“YUNDI is back”. Some rock stars every now and then accomplish a comeback. So can classical pianists it seems. For the 30-year-old Chinese superstar Yundi Li the comeback might refer to a couple of things. First of all, a return to his first label, but also, one hopes, a return to his initial form and inspiration. This new Beethoven disc aims at both. Deutsche Grammophon was the label that originally signed him after his grand victory at the XIVth Chopin International Piano Competition in 2000 as a mere 18-year-old. Yet the road to massive international success, the rivalry with his flamboyant compatriot Lang Lang, also brought its setbacks and disappointments. From 2010 Yundi Li spent a couple of years with EMI Classics. He would henceforth go by the name of Yundi, yet the scheduled complete Chopin recordings never really took flight and he eventually retreated to China. But now he is back touring again, back with the yellow label and there is no way to miss it. DG publicity and the liner notes of the new CD spell his first name only in capital fonts, and of course YUNDI dwarfs little Beethoven on the cover of the disc.

Not to make things easy, Yundi Li selected three of Beethoven’s most popular and recorded sonatas – the “Pathétique”, the “Moonlight” and the “Appassionata”. Although in the liner notes the pianist characterizes the trio repeatedly as utterly Romantic pieces (“I want to show Beethoven’s Romantic philosophy combined with Chinese philosophy”), they don’t sound like that in his hands. Instead he plays them in a classical manner, looking back to the past rather than towards things to come – sober, precise, with an admirable clarity of articulation, textures and rhythms. Nothing fundamentally wrong with this approach of course, however what seems missing is dramatic weight and he finds little distinction between the three sonatas. They could have been written one after the other, rather than in a time span of six or seven years.

The speed of the outer movements of the “Pathétique” is hardly compensated by any gravitas and the sonata ends up sounding rather lightweight indeed. Yundi’s technical mastery shines through his handling of the Adagio sostenuto of the C Sharp minor sonata. No doubt, this is magnificent piano especially when taken at such a slow tempo, but the refusal to break free from the rigid phrasing eventually turns into blandness. The Presto Agitato is taken presto to be sure, relentlessly so, but the lack of dynamic contrast between the hands robs the movement of its true impact. A far too objective approach also underexposes the “Appassionata”. Everything is tastefully done, with an emphasis on clarity and smoothness – but anyone familiar with the renderings of Rudolf Serkin, Emil Gilels, Sviatoslav Richter or Wilhelm Kempff will long for more than Yundi Li is able to give.

In short, this CD may be more important to Yundi Li as a confidence booster than it will shake up our discography of Beethoven sonatas. Not that this will worry the “Prince of the Piano” or his fans much though. At the time of writing, the disc already gained platinum status in China.

GTIN13: 0028947650492
Verschijningsdatum: 04. september 2012
Aantal discs 1
Aantal tracks: 9
Speelduur: 57:13

4988031167205

GTIN13: 4988031167205 (Japan)
Verschijningsdatum: 16. september 2016

4988031167205_0

Playing of passion and nervous energy from Yundi in a new release of Beethoven Sonatas from Deutsche Grammophon

There is no shortage of recordings of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas. The competition from older artists such as Schnabel, Kempff and Brendel, not to mention more recent artists, is immense.

As the era of the compact disc became established there were suggestions that making more recordings of the great classics was pointless, after all collectors could buy a CD that would last for ever so why buy new recordings. Thankfully, the record companies have continued to record the classical repertoire and we now have the interpretations of younger artists preserved in many fine recordings.

The latest of the younger generation to record Beethoven is Yundi Li www.yundimusic.com.  who, on his latest release from Deutsche Grammophon, plays Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor Op.13 ‘Pathetique’, Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor Op.27, No.2 ‘Moonlight’  and Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’.

First prize winner at the International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition, in 2000, at the age of 18, Yundi became the youngest winner in the history of the competition. He began studying piano at the age of seven and, for nine years, studied with one of China’s most renowned piano teachers Dan Zhaoyi. In 1994, he entered the Shenzhen Arts School, Shenzhen, China www.szas.com and, later, studied at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, in Germany www.hmtm-hannover.de.

Yundi has since performed around the world at such venues at Carnegie Hall, New York, the Royal Festival Hall, London, Musikverein, Vienna, Alte Opera, Frankfurt, Herkulessaal, Munich, Konzerthaus, Berlin, Gewandhaus, Leipzig, Salle Pleyel, Paris, Mariinsky Concert Hall, St. Petersburg, the National Centre for Performing Arts, Beijing, Seoul Arts Centre and Suntory Hall, Tokyo. His performances of Chopin resulted in his being presented with a Gold Medal for Merit to Culture ‘Gloria Artis’ by the Government of Poland in 2010.

Yundi has given master-classes at the Royal College of Music, London, Cambridge University and Qinghua University in Beijing. In 2012, he was appointed Associate Dean and Professor of the Piano Faculty at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music www.sccm.cn . He is an ambassador of the Red Cross Society of China www.redcross.org.cn.

Yundi first signed to Deutsche Grammophon in 2002, releasing a number of internationally acclaimed recordings on the label. In 2007, he became the first Chinese pianist to record live alongside the Berliner Philharmoniker and Seiji Ozawa with performances of piano concertos by Ravel and Prokofiev, a disc that was met with enthusiastic reviews and named ‘Editor’s Choice’ by Gramophone magazine.

Written by the 27 year old composer in 1798, the Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor Op.13 ‘Pathetique’ was named Grande sonate pathétique by Beethoven’s publisher. The sonata opens with a nicely paced grave, paving the way for the allegro molto e con brio where Yundi surges ahead, showing his formidable technique, full of fire and wonderful control of dynamics and tempo. The adagio cantabile receives a beautifully tranquil, thoughtful performance and Yundi provides a beautifully attractive allegro rondo where his lovely passagework is smooth, silken and flowing, lifting the final movement of this work.

Completed in 1801 the Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor op.27 No.2 ‘Moonlight’ is headed Sonata quasi una fantasia. It was not until the German music critic and poet Ludwig Rellstab (1799-1860) remarked that the first movement was like ‘the effect of moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne’ that the title stuck. Yundi brings some entrancing playing to the Adagio sostenuto of this sonata. There is some lovely phrasing and texture in the central climax and, as the movement draws to a close, playing of sensitivity and control. The little allegretto is nicely pointed with a lovely swagger but in the Presto agitato – adagio – presto agitato, Yundi really lets rip in playing of formidable brilliance and flair, so that when the central adagio arrives it seems merely a tense, quiet pause, full of expectation. There is phenomenal playing here, with the music buzzing with fire and tension.

With Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor Op.57 ‘Appassionata’ the name only appeared posthumously, in 1838, when a four hand arrangement of the work was made. With this sonata Yundi seems even more at home, with playing that brings out so much texture, feeling and tension. The opening Allegro assai has a spontaneous feel before the allegro proper begins. There is always a feeling in Yundi’s playing of re-creating this wonderful work with absolutely nothing routine. Yundi has full control of his passionate playing, thereby revealing detail that could easily be lost. There is a lovely rhythmic bounce to much of his playing and such spontaneity as well, with a terrific coda, thunderous, but leading beautifully to the quiet ending.

In the chorale like andante con moto, there is a soft, controlled feel, as though holding in so much passion and nervous energy that is about to burst, with Yundi’s rhythmic bass line providing the forward movement. In the allegro ma non troppo-Presto all the nervous energy bursts out, driving ahead at a terrific pace with some with tremendous playing and spectacularly virtuoso coda. This is very fine Beethoven playing.

Although Yundi has great power and passion in the faster sections of these works that is not to say that his slower, quieter playing is any less compelling. He seems to be able to hold back, bringing a stillness and inner tension to these moments. The recording from the Teldex Studio, Berlin is excellent.

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Yundi Li was just 18 years old when he became the first Chinese pianist to win first prize at the prestigious International Chopin Competition. He admits Chopin is his favorite composer — he loves the poetry of Chopin’s music. Now however, at age 30, he’s says it’s time to share the romance of Beethoven. Yundi Li has been touring the globe, performing three of Beethoven’s most popular piano sonatas, and he’s just released his first Beethoven recording.

“I’m very excited to record Beethoven’s most popular sonatas — Pathetique, Moonlight and Appassionata,” Yundi Li enthuses. “And they are quite different, I think, with Chopin’s music and also with the Romantic temperament, there is a big difference. The dynamic structure is totally different. But I feel very excited for this moment, I mean this year. I tour around the world to play Beethoven’s music and it gives me a lot of exciting moments and experience. I think it is the time to play Beethoven’s music.”

Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, the Pathetique Sonata, was composed in 1798 at the high point of the composer’s early period. The importance of this work is sometimes overshadowed by its popularity. Unlike Beethoven’s earlier sonatas this one was not intended to be performed on the harpsichord. Yundi Li takes full advantage of the dynamic range, the explosive chords, and the dramatic coloring in this sonata. “The sonata is very passionate and also very powerful,” says Yundi. “You need the control and also you need to share the passion and a lot of the energy. I want to show the balance, emotion and the logic combined together.”

“Pathetique, the second movement… it’s kind of a memory and very grand. Like sometimes you maybe have experienced in France and Germany. I used to take the train to the city and the next city and you see a lot of Germany – the landscape is very grand. But also sometimes (it) reminds me of the mountains, and the people, who are friendly and understanding. So that kind of feeling, it’s very warm, it’s very deep.”

The Moonlight sonata is Beethoven’s most popular work in the genre primarily because of the gorgeous -opening movement. Yundi Li puts his own signature on this sonata by giving it plenty of room to breathe especially at that point. “The Moonlight sonata is the most, I think, romantic melody, but also I want to take more time when you play the first movement. If the concert hall is very rich, then you can take it even slower. The color, I think, is most important for the Moonlightsonata, the first movement.”

The final movement is filled with technical pyrotechnics. Yundi Li says that in this movement, the composer is struggling with his emotions, almost fighting with himself as he comes to terms with his pending deafness.

As far as Beethoven was concerned, his best sonata was the Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, known as the Appassionata. To pull off a spontaneous performance of this challenging work requires additional focus. According to Yundi Li, “Sometimes you need to concentrate, you need to relax, but other times it’s very simple.” Simple or not, these three sonatas have always been Beethoven’s most popular, with performers and audiences. Now Yundi Li brings his sparkling technique and fluidity at the keyboard to these ever-popular works.

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1 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 -“Pathétique” – 1. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio
8:30
2 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 -“Pathétique” – 2. Adagio cantabile
5:13
3 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 -“Pathétique” – 3. Rondo (Allegro)
4:21
4 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 -“Moonlight” – 1. Adagio sostenuto
7:05
5 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 -“Moonlight” – 2. Allegretto
1:59
6 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 -“Moonlight” – 3. Presto agitato
6:50
7 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor, Op.57 -“Appassionata” – 1. Allegro assai
9:20
8 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor, Op.57 -“Appassionata” – 2. Andante con moto
6:21
9 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor, Op.57 -“Appassionata” – 3. Allegro ma non troppo
7:29

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Het leven & de muziek van Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) op Compact Discs, DVD's en Boeken

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