Rosen: Beethoven – The Late Piano Sonatas (2 CD, FLAC)

Performer: Charles Rosen
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Audio CD
SPARS Code: ADD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks+m3u)
Label: Sony
Size: 584 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: no

# Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Charles Rosen

# Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Charles Rosen

# Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Charles Rosen

# Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Charles Rosen

# Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major (“Hammerklavier”), Op. 106
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Charles Rosen

# Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Charles Rosen

Disc: 1
01. Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90: 1. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
02. Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90: 2. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen
03. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: 1. Etwas lebhaft, und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto ma non troppo
04. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: 2. Lebhaft, marschmäßig. Vivace alla Marcia
05. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: 3. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio ma non troppo, con affetto
06. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: 4. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro
07. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: 1. Vivace, ma non troppo
08. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: 2. Prestissimo
09. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: 3. Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung
10. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: 1. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
11. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: 2. Allegro molto
12. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: 3. Adagio ma non troppo – Fuga. Allegro ma non troppo

Disc: 2
01. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major (‘Hammerklavier’), Op. 106: 1. Allegro
02. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major (‘Hammerklavier’), Op. 106: 2. Scherzo. Assai vivace
03. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major (‘Hammerklavier’), Op. 106: 3. Adagio sostenuto. Appassionato e con molto sentimento
04. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major (‘Hammerklavier’), Op. 106: 4. Largo – Allegro risoluto
05. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: 1. Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato
06. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: 2. Arietta. Adagio molto semplice e cantabile

Deep into Beethoven’s personal universe.

This set is incredible, and it’s a bargain to boot. Rosen has spent years studying and writing about this unique music and it is immediately apparent in these magnificent recordings. His interpretation is peerless and his mastery and technique infallable despite the rugged difficulty of Beethoven’s late piano music. The “Hammerklavier” performance is wonderful, and every nuance is shaped logically and artistically despite the extreme challenges found almost everywhere in this profound work. Rosen is able to do the near impossible, which is to “own” this unusual and deeply expressive music. He doesn’t just play it, he lives it as though every impulse in his mind and body is focused on expressing this “symphony” for piano. The sound is top notch, and Rosen’s instrument has a very rich and present sonority. Recommended without any reservation whatsoever. If you are interested in Beethoven, here is his music played in such a manner that you will find yourself completely absorbed in his unique and powerful musical world.