Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Performer: Boris Giltburg
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Release: 2020
Size: 1.30 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Piano Sonata No. 4 in E flat major, Op. 7
01. I. Allegro molto e con brio
02. II. Largo con gran espressione
03. III. Allegro
04. IV. Rondo. Poco allegretto e grazioso
Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1
05. I. Allegro molto e con brio
06. II. Adagio molto
07. III. Finale. Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 10 No. 2
08. I. Allegro
09. II. Allegretto
10. III. Presto
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3
11. I. Presto
12. II. Largo e mesto
13. III. Menuetto. Allegro
14. IV. Rondo. Allegro
Giltburg’s playing allows every quality of the music to come across at full value: his approach avoids tendentious point-making, while also presenting something far more vivid and memorable than just a no-nonsense exposition of each sonata…On this form, Naxos’s cycle looks set to be something special.
Giltburg’s approach to early Beethoven is refreshingly straightforward, and never contrived; textures are lean and clear, rubato never overdone. Just occasionally it can seem a bit too severe, with snatched staccatos, but there’s more than enough here to make it worthwhile following the instalments to come.