Solomon: Beethoven – Piano Sonatas op.90,101,106,109,110,111 (2 CD, FLAC)

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Performer: Solomon
Audio CD
SPARS Code: ADD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: EMI Classics
Size: 325 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc 1:
01. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Op. 101 (1993 Digital Remaster): I. Allegretto, ma non troppo
02. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Op. 101 (1993 Digital Remaster): II. Vivace alla Marcia
03. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Op. 101 (1993 Digital Remaster): III. Adagio, ma non troppo
04. Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Op. 101 (1993 Digital Remaster): IV. Allegro
05. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat Op. 106 ‘Hammerklavier’ (1993 Digital Remaster): I. Allegro
06. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat Op. 106 ‘Hammerklavier’ (1993 Digital Remaster): II. Scherzo (Assai vivace) – Presto
07. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat Op. 106 ‘Hammerklavier’ (1993 Digital Remaster): III. Adagio sostenuto (Appassionato e con molto sentimento)
08. Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat Op. 106 ‘Hammerklavier’ (1993 Digital Remaster): IV. Largo – Allegro risoluto

Disc 2:
01. Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor Op. 90 (1993 Digital Remaster): I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
02. Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor Op. 90 (1993 Digital Remaster): II. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorzutragen
03. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Op. 109 (1993 Digital Remaster): I. Vivace, ma non troppo – Adagio espressivo
04. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Op. 109 (1993 Digital Remaster): II. Prestissimo
05. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Op. 109 (1993 Digital Remaster): III. Tema (Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo ) – Variazioni I-VI
06. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major Op. 110 (1993 Digital Remaster): I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
07. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major Op. 110 (1993 Digital Remaster): II. Allegro molto
08. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major Op. 110 (1993 Digital Remaster): III. Adagio ma non troppo – Fuga (Allegro ma non troppo) – L’istesso tempo di Arioso – L’istesso tempo di Fuga – Meno allegro
09. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor Op. 111 (1993 Digital Remaster): I. Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato
10. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor Op. 111 (1993 Digital Remaster): II. Arietta (con variazioni) – Adagio molto, semplice e cantabile

Sadly Neglected Master

There are reviews of Solomon that acknowledge his greatness as a Beethoven pianist. (And more besides)So he is not entirely forgotten. His tragedy was a major stroke just before he finished recording all 32 Beethoven sonatas and Diabelli var. His technique was impeccable, but there is some reason to suppose the stroke that finished his career yielded a few misses or slurs within the cycle. Not anything like as egregious as Schnabel. Whose first recordings of these sonatas (The legendary) Walter Legge had asked Solomon to replace with a newer version. (During the 40’s)

But like Schnabel Solomon’s pure musical understanding and sensitivity of touch is truly remarkable. And VERY moving. It seems his recording of the Hammerklavier is generally considered one of the very best available. It really only takes one listening to appreciate this. Probably the slowest tempo of all recordings it is stunning how Solomon keeps the line alive throughout and wrings every ounce of meaning from this huge and complex work. But, then, compare Solomon’s recording of Sonata 30, Op 109, and it is nowhere near as slow as Arrau, but still able to bring out the deep mystery and poetry of this extraordinary sonata. I love Arrau. I love Pollini (sometimes). But for me Solomon had what they have and deserves to be as celebrated and enjoyed…

We live in an age where every new music school graduate is a virtuoso with impeccable technique. Just listen to Solomon and it is clear what this technique is supposed to be in service of. Every time I revisit this recording I find something new and wonderful in the music. A genuine masterpiece…