Composed: 1818First performed: Salle Erard, ParisGenres:
Instrumental » Piano Solos » Piano Sonatas
Dedicated to: Archduke Rudolf
Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29 in B♭ major, Op. 106 (known as the Große Sonate für das Hammerklavier, or more simply as the Hammerklavier) is a piano sonata that is widely viewed as one of the most important works of the composer's third period and among the greatest piano sonatas of all time.
Read more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No._29_(Beethoven)
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The pulse of the Scherzo is rigorously even, but it has explosive energy; the sheer precisions of the articulation in the finale is a pleasure, as he takes us boldly through its labyrinth of... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 9th February 2018
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Gramophone Magazine, March 2018, Recording of the Month
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BBC Music Magazine, May 2018, Instrumental Choice
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Record Review, 10th March 2018, Recording of the Week
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Gramophone Awards, 2018, Shortlisted - Instrumental
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2018
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Diapason d’Or de l’Année, 2018, Winner - Piano
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Diapason d’Or, March 2018, Nouveauté
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What you will get is a new sense of the sheer physicality of the music…What’s fascinating about Levit’s whole cycle is the crazy tempos at which he takes the first Allegros and Prestos…Where... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2019, Editor's Choice
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BBC Music Magazine, December 2019, Instrumental Choice
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2019
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International Classical Music Awards, 2019, Nominee - Best Collection
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The Times Records of the Year, 2019, Classical Album of the Year
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Presto Recording of the Week, 20th December 2019
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The New York Times, Recordings of the Year 2019
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2020, Best-Seller of the Year
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Gramophone Awards, 2020, Winner - Instrumental
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Grammy Awards, 63rd Awards (2021), Nominee - Best Classical Instrumental Solo
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Building a Library, February 2023, Also Recommended - ‘Appassionata’
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Building A Library, March 2026, Top Choice (Waldstein Sonata)
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spaciousness is [not] the most surprising aspect here…more challenging to many ears will be the steadiness of the E flat Impromptu and the liberally applied hesitations of the A flat. Allied... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 15th January 2016
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2016
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judging from this new recording of the five last Beethoven sonatas his keyboard technique is dazzling, and the notoriously demanding 'Hammerklavier', Op. 106 holds no terrors for him. —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, December 2025, Editor's Choice
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Fine performances, but I can’t imagine that anyone will want to listen to anything for sometime after this colossal Hammerklavier. —
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these interpretations hold interest for Rana’s strong personality, her obvious and sincere engagement with these works and her willingness to take risks in pursuit of the music behind the notes.... —
Awards:
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International Classical Music Awards, 2025, Nominated - Solo Instrument
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Gramophone Magazine, Critics' Choice 2024
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The hallmarks of Hewitt’s artistry are in evidence: fingerwork of nimble grace and steely strength; clarity of line; understated pedalling. These are considered readings that bring out the detail... —
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CD
Original price ($17.50) Reduced price $8.75Maximum 1 purchase per customerClearance prices not guaranteed until checkout is completedDownloads
Audio formats guide -
Awards:
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Building a Library, February 2023, Recommended Recording - 'Appassionata'
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Those who are searching for perfection can stop here...this set, the first solo recording from Russo-German pianist Igor Levit, sets a new standard that will be very difficult to surpass...I... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 2014, Finalist - Instrumental
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2014, Newcomer Award
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Building a Library, February 2018, Also Recommended
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Audio formats guide -
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it’s always when Beethoven is at his most virile when Hamelin most excels, especially with sweeping runs up the keyboard or busy fugal complications — anything that needs flying fingers...there... —
Awards:
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalists 2024
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