Arrau: Beethoven – The Complete Piano Sonatas & Concertos (14 CD box set, APE)

Audio CD
Number of Discs: 14 CD box set
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Philips
Size: 4.21 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc 1:
01. Piano Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2 No.1 – 1. Allegro
02. Piano Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2 No.1 – 2. Adagio
03. Piano Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2 No.1 – 3. Menuetto (Allegretto)
04. Piano Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2 No.1 – 4. Prestissimo
05. Piano Sonata No.2 in A, Op.2 No.2 – 1. Allegro vivace
06. Piano Sonata No.2 in A, Op.2 No.2 – 2. Largo appassionato
07. Piano Sonata No.2 in A, Op.2 No.2 – 3. Scherzo (Allegretto)
08. Piano Sonata No.2 in A, Op.2 No.2 – 4. Rondo (Grazioso)
09. Piano Sonata No.5 in C minor, Op.10 No.1 – 1. Allegro molto e con brio
10. Piano Sonata No.5 in C minor, Op.10 No.1 – 2. Adagio molto
11. Piano Sonata No.5 in C minor, Op.10 No.1 – 3. Finale (Prestissimo)
12. Piano Sonata No.19 in G minor, Op.49 No.1 – 1. Andante
13. Piano Sonata No.19 in G minor, Op.49 No.1 – 2. Rondo (Allegro)

Disc 2:
01. Piano Sonata No.3 in C, Op.2 No.3 – 1. Allegro con brio
02. Piano Sonata No.3 in C, Op.2 No.3 – 2. Adagio
03. Piano Sonata No.3 in C, Op.2 No.3 – 3. Scherzo (Allegro)
04. Piano Sonata No.3 in C, Op.2 No.3 – 4. Allegro assai
05. Piano Sonata No.4 in E flat, Op.7 – 1. Allegro molto e con brio
06. Piano Sonata No.4 in E flat, Op.7 – 2. Largo, con gran espressione
07. Piano Sonata No.4 in E flat, Op.7 – 3. Allegro
08. Piano Sonata No.4 in E flat, Op.7 – 4. Rondo (Poco allegretto e grazioso)
09. 6 Piano Variations in F, Op.34

Disc 3:
01. Piano Sonata No.6 in F, Op.10 No.2 – 1. Allegro
02. Piano Sonata No.6 in F, Op.10 No.2 – 2. Allegretto
03. Piano Sonata No.6 in F, Op.10 No.2 – 3. Presto
04. Piano Sonata No.7 in D, Op.10 No.3 – 1. Presto
05. Piano Sonata No.7 in D, Op.10 No.3 – 2. Largo e mesto
06. Piano Sonata No.7 in D, Op.10 No.3 – 3. Menuetto (Allegro)
07. Piano Sonata No.7 in D, Op.10 No.3 – 4. Rondo (Allegro)
08. Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 -“Pathétique” – 1. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio
09. Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 -“Pathétique” – 2. Adagio cantabile
10. Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 -“Pathétique” – 3. Rondo (Allegro)
11. Piano Sonata No.9 in E, Op.14 No.1 – 1. Allegro
12. Piano Sonata No.9 in E, Op.14 No.1 – 2. Allegretto
13. Piano Sonata No.9 in E, Op.14 No.1 – 3. Rondo (Allegro comodo)

Disc 4:
01. Piano Sonata No.10 in G, Op.14 No.2 – 1. Allegro
02. Piano Sonata No.10 in G, Op.14 No.2 – 2. Andante
03. Piano Sonata No.10 in G, Op.14 No.2 – 3. Scherzo (Allegro assai)
04. Piano Sonata No.11 in B flat, Op.22 – 1. Allegro con brio
05. Piano Sonata No.11 in B flat, Op.22 – 2. Adagio con molto espressione
06. Piano Sonata No.11 in B flat, Op.22 – 3. Menuetto
07. Piano Sonata No.11 in B flat, Op.22 – 4. Rondo (Allegretto)
08. Piano Sonata No.12 in A flat, Op.26 – 1. Andante con variazioni
09. Piano Sonata No.12 in A flat, Op.26 – 2. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
10. Piano Sonata No.12 in A flat, Op.26 – 3. Marcia funebre sulla morte d’un Eroe
11. Piano Sonata No.12 in A flat, Op.26 – 4. Allegro
12. Piano Sonata No.25 in G, Op.79 – 1. Presto alla tedesca
13. Piano Sonata No.25 in G, Op.79 – 2. Andante
14. Piano Sonata No.25 in G, Op.79 – 3. Vivace

Disc 5:
01. Piano Sonata No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1 – 1. Andante – Allegro – Tempo I
02. Piano Sonata No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1 – 2. Allegro molto e vivace
03. Piano Sonata No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1 – 3. Adagio con espressione
04. Piano Sonata No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1 – 4. Allegro vivace – Tempo I – Presto
05. Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor, Op.27 No.2 -“Moonlight” – 1. Adagio sostenuto
06. Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor, Op.27 No.2 -“Moonlight” – 2. Allegretto
07. Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor, Op.27 No.2 -“Moonlight” – 3. Presto
08. Piano Sonata No.15 in D, Op.28 -“Pastorale” – 1. Allegro
09. Piano Sonata No.15 in D, Op.28 -“Pastorale” – 2. Andante
10. Piano Sonata No.15 in D, Op.28 -“Pastorale” – 3. Scherzo (Allegro assai)
11. Piano Sonata No.15 in D, Op.28 -“Pastorale” – 4. Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)
12. Piano Sonata No.22 in F, Op.54 – 1. In Tempo d’un Menuetto
13. Piano Sonata No.22 in F, Op.54 – 2. Allegretto

Disc 6:
01. Piano Sonata No.16 in G, Op.31 No.1 – 1. Allegro vivace
02. Piano Sonata No.16 in G, Op.31 No.1 – 2. Adagio grazioso
03. Piano Sonata No.16 in G, Op.31 No.1 – 3. Rondo (Allegretto)
04. Piano Sonata No.17 in D minor, Op.31 No.2 -“Tempest” – 1. Largo – Allegro
05. Piano Sonata No.17 in D minor, Op.31 No.2 -“Tempest” – 2. Adagio
06. Piano Sonata No.17 in D minor, Op.31 No.2 -“Tempest” – 3. Allegretto
07. Piano Sonata No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3 -“The Hunt” – 1. Allegro
08. Piano Sonata No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3 -“The Hunt” – 2. Scherzo (Allegretto vivace)
09. Piano Sonata No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3 -“The Hunt” – 3. Menuetto (Moderato e grazioso)
10. Piano Sonata No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3 -“The Hunt” – 4. Presto con fuoco

Disc 7:
01. Piano Sonata No.21 in C, Op.53 -“Waldstein” – 1. Allegro con brio
02. Piano Sonata No.21 in C, Op.53 -“Waldstein” – Introduzione (Adagio molto) – Rondo (Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo)
03. 15 Piano Variations and Fugue in E flat, Op.35 -“Eroica Variations” – Introduzione col Basso del Tema: Allegretto vivace
04. 15 Piano Variations and Fugue in E flat, Op.35 -“Eroica Variations” – Variations 1-15
05. 15 Piano Variations and Fugue in E flat, Op.35 -“Eroica Variations” – Finale alla Fuga: Allegro con brio – Andante con moto
06. 32 Piano Variations in C minor on an original theme, WoO 80
07. Rondo in G, Op.51, No.2

Disc 8:
01. Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor, Op.57 -“Appassionata” – 1. Allegro assai
02. Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor, Op.57 -“Appassionata” – 2. Andante con moto
03. Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor, Op.57 -“Appassionata” – 3. Allegro ma non troppo
04. Piano Sonata No.24 in F sharp, Op.78 “For Therese” – 1. Adagio cantabile – Allegro ma non troppo
05. Piano Sonata No.24 in F sharp, Op.78 “For Therese” – 2. Allegro vivace
06. Piano Sonata No.26 in E flat, Op.81a -“Les adieux” – 1. Das Lebewohl (Adagio – Allegro)
07. Piano Sonata No.26 in E flat, Op.81a -“Les adieux” – 2. Abwesendheit (Andante espressivo)
08. Piano Sonata No.26 in E flat, Op.81a -“Les adieux” – 3. Das Wiedersehn (Vivacissimamente)
09. Piano Sonata No.27 in E minor, Op.90 – 1. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
10. Piano Sonata No.27 in E minor, Op.90 – 2. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen
11. Piano Sonata No.20 in G, Op.49 No.2 – 1. Allegro ma non troppo
12. Piano Sonata No.20 in G, Op.49 No.2 – 2. Tempo di Menuetto

Disc 9:
01. Piano Sonata No.28 in A, Op.101 – 1. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung (Allegretto ma non troppo)
02. Piano Sonata No.28 in A, Op.101 – 2. Lebhaft, marschmäßig (Vivace alla marcia)
03. Piano Sonata No.28 in A, Op.101 – 3. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll (Adagio ma non troppo, con affetto)
04. Piano Sonata No.28 in A, Op.101 – 4. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossen- heit (Allegro)
05. Piano Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 -“Hammerklavier” – 1. Allegro
06. Piano Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 -“Hammerklavier” – 2. Scherzo (Assai vivace – Presto – Prestissimo – Tempo I)
07. Piano Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 -“Hammerklavier” – 3. Adagio sostenuto
08. Piano Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 -“Hammerklavier” – 4. Largo – Allegro risoluto

Disc 10:
01. Piano Sonata No.30 in E, Op.109 – 1. Vivace ma non troppo-Adagio espressivo-Tempo I 2. Prestissimo
02. Piano Sonata No.30 in E, Op.109 – 3. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung (Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo)
03. Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat, Op.110 – 1. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
04. Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat, Op.110 – 2. Allegro molto
05. Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat, Op.110 – 3. Adagio ma non troppo
06. Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat, Op.110 – 4. Fuga (Allegro ma non troppo)
07. Piano Sonata No.32 in C minor, Op.111 – 1. Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato
08. Piano Sonata No.32 in C minor, Op.111 – 2. Arietta (Adagio molto semplice e cantabile)

Disc 11:
01. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Tema (Vivace) – Variation I (Alla marcia maestoso)
02. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation II (Poco allegro)
03. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation III (L’istesso tempo)
04. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation IV (Un poco più vivace)
05. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation V (Allegro vivace)
06. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation VI (Allegro ma non troppo e serioso)
07. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation VII (Un poco più allegro)
08. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation VIII (Poco Vivace)
09. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation IX (Allegro pesante e risoluto)
10. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation X (Presto)
11. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XI (Allegretto)
12. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XII (Un poco più moto)
13. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation XIII (Vivace)
14. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XIV (Grave e maestoso)
15. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XV (Presto scherzando)
16. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XVI (Allegro)
17. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation XVII
18. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation XVIII (Poco Moderato)
19. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XIX (Presto)
20. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XX (Andante)
21. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XXI (Allegro con brio – Meno allegro – Tempo I)
22. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxii (Allegro Molto): Alla “Notte E Giorno Faticar” Di Mozart
23. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxiii (Allegro Assai)
24. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxiv: Fughetta (Andante)
25. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XXV (Allegro)
26. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxvi
27. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxvii (Vivace)
28. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxviii (Allegro)
29. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxix (Adagio Ma Non Troppo)
30. 33 Piano Variations in C, Op.120 on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli – Variation XXX (Andante, sempre cantabile)
31. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxxi (Largo, Molto Espressivo)
32. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxxii: Fuga (Allegro – Poco Adagio)
33. 33 Piano Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli – Variation Xxxiii (Tempo Di Minuetto Moderato, Ma Non Tirarsi Dietro)

Disc 12:
01. Piano Concerto No.1 in C major, Op.15 – 1. Allegro con brio
02. Piano Concerto No.1 in C major, Op.15 – 2. Largo
03. Piano Concerto No.1 in C major, Op.15 – 3. Rondo (Allegro scherzando)
04. Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat major, Op.19 – 1. Allegro con brio
05. Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat major, Op.19 – 2. Adagio
06. Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat major, Op.19 – 3. Rondo (Molto allegro)

Disc 13:
01. Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37 – 1. Allegro con brio
02. Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37 – 2. Largo
03. Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37 – 3. Rondo (Allegro)
04. Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Op.58 – 1. Allegro moderato
05. Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Op.58 – 2. Andante con moto
06. Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Op.58 – 3. Rondo (Vivace)

Disc 14:
01. Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 -“Emperor” – 1. Allegro
02. Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 -“Emperor” – 2. Adagio un poco mosso
03. Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 -“Emperor” – 3. Rondo (Allegro)
04. Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C, Op.56 – 1. Allegro
05. Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C, Op.56 – 2. Largo
06. Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C, Op.56 – 3. Rondo alla Polacca

24 Bit Sublime Ecstasy

Everything glorious I read about Claudio Arrau in these Amazon.com reviews is absolutely true. My CD set arrived this morning, and I just finished listening to Sonata No. 1. I never paid much attention to it before, but Arrau plays each note with such passion, clarity, and sensitivity that it sounds like one of the greatest works – simply because he plays it that way.

I didn’t realize when I ordered this set that Philips had remastered the music with 24 bit A/D transfer, so the sound quality is glorious.

By the way, there is also a 7 CD box set of Arrau playing Chopin. After hearing his Beethoven, I can’t wait for my copy of Arrau’s Chopin to arrive!