Beethoven - The Piano Sonatas (Volume 2) - ECM: 4763100 - CD or download

András Schiff's sharp attention to detail spills over from the first volume in his projected Beethoven cycle into this recital, although he sometimes crosses the thin line separating astute perception... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 27th Mar 2006
Catalogue No: 4763100
Label: ECM
Series: New Series, András Schiff Beethoven
Length: 76 minutes

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Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1

Work length18:00

$3.30

$4.20

András Schiff (piano)
Recorded: 2004-11-28
Recording Venue: Tonhalle Zürich

1. Allegro molto e con brio

Track length5:52

$1.10

$1.40

2. Adagio molto

Track length7:55

$1.10

$1.40

3. Finale (Prestissimo)

Track length4:13

$1.10

$1.40

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 10 No. 2

Work length16:51

$3.30

$4.20

András Schiff (piano)
Recorded: 2004-11-28
Recording Venue: Tonhalle Zürich

1. Allegro

Track length8:58

$1.10

$1.40

2. Allegretto

Track length3:54

$1.10

$1.40

3. Presto

Track length3:59

$1.10

$1.40

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3

Work length21:47

$4.40

$5.60

András Schiff (piano)
Recorded: 2004-11-28
Recording Venue: Tonhalle Zürich

1. Presto

Track length6:48

$1.10

$1.40

2. Largo e mesto

Track length8:12

$1.10

$1.40

3. Menuetto (Allegro)

Track length2:50

$1.10

$1.40

4. Rondo (Allegro)

Track length3:57

$1.10

$1.40

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique'

Work length19:55

$3.30

$4.20

András Schiff (piano)
Recorded: 2004-11-28
Recording Venue: Tonhalle Zürich

1. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio

Track length10:16

$1.10

$1.40

2. Adagio cantabile

Track length5:14

$1.10

$1.40

3. Rondo (Allegro)

Track length4:25

$1.10

$1.40

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

András Schiff's sharp attention to detail spills over from the first volume in his projected Beethoven cycle into this recital, although he sometimes crosses the thin line separating astute perception and finicky mannerism. The exaggerated quality of his clipped chords and staccato passages proves mincing and ultimately monotonous in No 6's outer movements, although some of the intricate left-hand runs attain uncommon clarity.
Surprisingly, Schiff holds back in No 5's finale, maintaining a comfortable allegro, whereas Beethoven marks prestissimo, in contrast to the thrust and momentum Glenn Gould, Stephen Kovacevich and, more recently, Gerhard Oppitz generate. Although Schiff makes the most of No 7's finale's questioning silences, others bring more gravity and desolation to the sonata's great slow movement (Arrau and Schnabel, for example).
Yet Schiff's subtle tempo modifications in the first movement add expressive dimension to the hurling octaves, while numerous left-hand counterlines zoom to the forefront. He similarly modifies the Pathétique's first movement's basic tempo so that the bass tremolos have enough room to resonate and breathe, and follows the Rudolf Serkin tradition of repeating the introduction.
Intense right- and left-hand interplay vibrantly unhinges the slow movement from its comfort zone, while Schiff's adherence to Beethoven's careful dynamic differentiations restores the Rondo's long lost thematic spice.
Heed these reservations: but respect Schiff's forethought, integrity and utter lack of routine.

July 2006

…Schiff… modifies the Pathétique's first movement's basic tempo so that the bass tremolos have enough room to resonate and breath, and follows the Rudolf Serkin tradition of repeating the introduction. Intense right- and left-hand interplay vibrantly unhinges the slow movement from its comfort zone, while Schiff's adherence to Beethoven's careful dynamic differentiations restores the Rondo's long lost thematic spice.

Beethoven - The Piano Sonatas (Volume 2)

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