Schiff: Beethoven – The Complete Piano Sonatas vol.1-8 (10 CD, FLAC)

Performer: András Schiff
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 10
Label: Ecm Records
Size: 1.84 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Volume 1
Sonate Nr. 1 f-moll, Op. 2 No. 1
Sonate Nr. 2 A-dur, Op. 2 No. 2
Sonate Nr. 3 C-dur, Op. 2 No. 3
Sonate Nr. 4 Es-dur, Op. 7

Volume 2
Sonate Nr. 5 c-moll, Op. 10 No. 1
Sonate Nr. 6 F-dur, Op. 10 No. 2
Sonate Nr. 7 D-dur, Op. 10 No. 3
Sonate Nr. 8 c-moll «Pathétique», Op. 13

Volume 3
Sonate Nr. 19 g-moll, Op. 49 No. 1
Sonate Nr. 20 G-dur, Op. 49 No. 2
Sonate Nr. 9 E-dur, Op. 14 No. 1
Sonate Nr. 10 G-dur, Op. 14 No. 2
Sonate Nr. 11 B-dur, Op. 22

Volume 4
Sonate Nr. 12 As-dur [Funeral march], Op. 26
Sonate Nr. 13 Es-dur, Op. 27 No. 1
Sonate Nr. 14 cis-moll «Mondscheinsonate», Op. 27 No. 2
Sonate Nr. 15 D-dur «Pastorale», Op. 28

Volume 5
Sonate Nr. 16 G-dur, Op. 31 No. 1
Sonate Nr. 17 d-moll «Der Sturm», Op. 31 No. 2
Sonate Nr. 18 Es-dur «Die Jagd», Op. 31 No. 3
Sonate Nr. 21 C-dur «Waldstein», Op. 53
Andante favori F-dur, WoO 57
Andante grazioso con moto

Volume 6
Sonate Nr. 22 F-dur, Op. 54
Sonate Nr. 23 f-moll «Appassionata», Op. 57
Sonate Nr. 24 Fis-dur, Op. 78
Sonate Nr. 25 G-dur, Op. 79
Sonate Nr. 26 Es-dur «Les Adieux» (Das Lebewohl), Op. 81a

Volume 7
Sonate Nr. 27 e-moll, Op. 90
Sonate Nr. 28 A-dur, Op. 101
Sonate Nr. 29 B-dur, Op. 106 (für das Hammerklavier)

Volume 8
Sonate Nr. 30 E-dur, Op. 109
Sonate Nr. 31 As-dur, Op. 110
Sonate Nr. 32 c-moll, Op. 111

Landmark Beethoven interpretations by Schiff.

If I may, with due respect, I completely disagree with the previous reviewer. Schiff was not uncomfortable with Beethoven, but being a self-effacing young man and a perfectionist, he only waited to mature and be worthy to play the sonatas. He is now embarking on the long awaited complete set that surely will be a landmark.
Andras Schiff is a pianist to reckon with whose career is on the rise. Sold out concert halls in Europe prove this. I think it was worth the wait for him to get into Beethoven.
These 4 early sonatas are tremendous interpretations: full of joy, excitement, vigour, imagination and virtuosity even wit and humour.His technique is perfect and his palette is lucid and crisp, perhaps less fluidly romantic as Richard Goode, but this is a more classic
approach influenced by Haydn. In fact Sonata Op.2 no. 1 is dedicated to Haydn. Op. 2 No.3 is a stunningly memorable virtuoso performance.
The monumental sonata Op.7 is a giant step forward at this early phase and Schiff’s perfomance is the pinnacle of this set.Just think of the wonderfully introspective interpretation of the Largo or the Scherzo with its disturbing, tremulous Minore section. A masterly performance.

Stop and go phrasing, muddled textures ? Statements like these
should be supported by precise examples otherwise the “critic”
loses his credibility.

I sincerely recommend this recording and look forward to the follow-ups.