Maurizio Pollini - Beethoven: Piano Sonatas NOS. 1-3, OP. 2
Our Price: $16.98
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $8.42 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Maurizio PolliniComposer: Beethoven
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2008-01-22
Music Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Soundtracks:
- Allegro
- Adagio
- Menuetto (Allegretto)
- Prestissimo
- Allegro vivace
- Largo appassionato 7
- Scherzo (Allegretto)
- Rondo (Grazioso)
- Allegro con brio
- Adagio
- Scherzo (Allegro)
- Allegro assai
Free Music Notes for Beethoven: Piano Sonatas NOS. 1-3, OP. 2
Free Music Review: One-sided Beethoven
Hit: 3 Stars
I think the late Harold C. Schonberg, influential critic for the NY Times, was the first to characterize Maurizio Pollini as a "cult figure" and "intellectual pianist" to whom musical color, charm, personality and emotion have little meaning. "Don't interpret, but just play the notes" was the then modern style of Pollini. "Cool perfection, impersonal sound and computer-like total control" according to Schonberg (The Great Pianists, Ch.37; 1987). These memorable words were written two decades ago, but they haven't lost their meaning. Now over 65, Pollini still is a cult figure with countless admirers (his concerts are immediately sold out, even if he only plays Stockhausen and Boulez; and read the uncritical five-star reviews here at Amazon). Being a cult figure is fine, but did Pollini change as a musician over the years? He surely became milder and more expressive, but at the same time he has maintained his reputation of a pianist whose playing lacks emotional content, warmth and depth. Gifted with a vast technique, Pollini can play anything with breathtaking tempi, flawless, and no mannerism or show-off whatsoever. Yet he is musically one-sided and emotionally aloof. He never tempts. Everything is done the same way - never a surprise. Regrettably, his recording of Beethoven's Op. 2 (or Op. 10 for that matter) is no exception.
The opening of the F minor sonata (Allegro) is a breathless chase of events. No time for musical eloquence. The Menuetto (Allegretto) is rushed and lacks grace, not least because of exaggerated fortissimo's. In the fourth movement, the fine melodic line that starts from bar 35 (right hand octaves) is neglected. Yes, it is prestissimo, but that's no excuse for ignoring a melody that should sing. Plain-sailing pianism.
Slow movements are the real touchstones. The beautiful Largo Appassionato of the A major sonata is too detached and crisp to my ears. To quote Gramophone: "Even in the slow movements, Pollini can be authoritarian, barking his orders at you with inflexible resolve". The Scherzo is rushed again (played Allegro instead of Allegretto) with too much pedal, while there is a conspicuous lack of humor in the Rondo Grazioso (Pollini and humor mix like water and oil; listen to Brendel for the humor and grace in this movement). Again lots of nervous intensity and little humanity in the C major sonata.
These recordings are fine for the many worshippers of Pollini; for more musical eloquence and virtues others should look elsewhere. Looking elsewhere is not a challenge given the countless fine recordings of these sonatas. If you find the sound of the legendary Arthur Schnabel unacceptable, listen to Wilhelm Kempff, Claudio Arrau, Annie Fischer or Emil Gilels. The latter is my favorite; Gilels' Op. 2/2 is deeply moving and unsurpassed (unfortunately, he did not record no. 1). Murray Perahia also did a great job with his very musical and insightful interpretation of Op. 2. Newcomer Paul Lewis shouldn't be overlooked either (his Vol.3 of the Beethoven sonatas). A world of difference with Pollini.
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas NOS. 1-3, OP. 2 Poster
Maurizio Pollini continues his celebrated cycle of Beethoven Piano Sonatas. In this album, recorded like its predecessors in Munich's Herkulessaal, the Italian pianist turns his incomparable keyboard mastery to Opus 2, the three astonishingly individual, inventive and forward-looking sonatas comprising Beethoven's first publication in the genre, dedicated to his teacher Joseph Haydn. Composed in 1793-95, just after he went to Vienna and while he was still chiefly making his name as a pianist, Beethoven's Op. 2 needs no apology for coming first in the series of 32. In scope, variety and dramatic power, these sonatas are already authentically Beethovenian--bold, brilliantly virtuosic and, in the slow movements, often profoundly expressive works which, deservedly, have always been popular among pianists and music lovers. Pollini, a living legend, has received countless accolades for his interpretations of the Beethoven sonatas, and there is every reason to believe that this new recording will be similarly acclaimed. Writing about Pollini's previous album of Beethoven sonatas, including the "Pathétique," Stephanie von Buchau of the Oakland Tribune found that "Pollini gives a heart-stopping performance" while Jessica Duchen in Classic FM exclaimed, "there is a deliciously youthful quality about his playing of early Beethoven in this enchanting disc. His touch is light and sparkling...every moment is compelling."Classical Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Classical Music CDs
Air on a G StringRelease date: 2008-03-04; Music CD
Best price: $12.27
Price in other shops:
Celtic TreasureRelease date: 2007-03-13; Music CD
Best price: $11.34
Price in other shops:
Lullaby for My Favorite InsomniacRelease date: 2008-04-01; Music CD
Best price: $11.88
Price in other shops:
![Vivere Live in Tuscany [DVD/CD] Image](/images/Vivere-Live-in-Tuscany-DVD-CD-B0010YPTGU-X.jpg)
Vivere Live in Tuscany [DVD/ CD]UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP DISTRIBUTION; Release date: 2008-01-29; DVD
Best price: $15.99
Price in other shops:
Baby Einstein - Baby Mozart - Music Festivalby Disney
BABY EINSTEIN; Release date: 2002-03-12; Published: 2004; DVD
Best price: $9.98
Price in other shops:
Andrea Bocelli - The Best of Andrea Bocelli: VivereBOCELLI,ANDREA; Release date: 2007-10-30; Music CD
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops:
Chris Botti - ItaliaRelease date: 2007-09-25; Music CD
Best price: $8.88
Price in other shops:
Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du regiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007)Release date: 2008-04-15; DVD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
Paul Potts - One ChanceRelease date: 2007-09-18; Music CD
Best price: $9.34
Price in other shops:
Chant: Music For The SoulRelease date: 2008-07-01; Music CD
Best price: $12.07
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Beethoven: Diabelli VariationsRelease date: 2000-09-12; Music CD
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops:
G. Mahler: Symphony no. 8Release date: 2008-01-08; Music CD
Best price: $11.49
Price in other shops:
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 13, 14, 17, 21Release date: 2003-01-14; Music CD
Best price: $7.19
Price in other shops:
Schoenberg Violin Concerto Op.36/ Sibelius Violin Concerto Op.47Release date: 2008-04-08; Music CD
Best price: $10.98
Price in other shops:
Mozart: Piano Concertos, K. 453 & 467Release date: 2007-04-10; Music CD
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Bach: Partitas Nos. 2-4Release date: 2008-03-18; Music CD
Best price: $10.88
Price in other shops:
Beethoven: piano sonatas op 54:57Release date: 2003-04-08; Music CD
Best price: $11.07
Price in other shops:
Beethoven opp. 10 & 13, Sonatas 5-8Release date: 2004-09-14; Music CD
Best price: $11.85
Price in other shops:
Bach: Art of FugueRelease date: 2008-03-11; Music CD
Best price: $9.55
Price in other shops:
Mozart: Piano Concertos K. 414 & 491Release date: 2008-05-13; Music CD
Best price: $10.39
Price in other shops: