Maurizio Pollini - Beethoven: Piano Sonatas NOS. 1-3, OP. 2
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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.
Free Music Review: unconditionally recommended..superb recording..every dynamic and note sound convincingly right
Hit: 5 Stars
The sonic transparency of this recording, with its fully-realized dynamic range and splendid sense of three-dimensional sound stage, is the next best thing to actually being present in a very good seat in the Herkulessaal in the Residenz in Munich.
Maurizio Pollini's deep knowledge of Beethoven's music and life are clearly evident in this masterfully satisfying account of the three Op. 2 sonatas. Every dynamic and note just sound convincingly right. I think this is superb recording of a performance that Beethoven - who was of course an exceptional pianist too - could like very much. It is full of charm, wit and fresh surprise. The elegant playing is informed by what I can only describe as confidence born of humility. It is never mannered or dry. Unconditionally recommended for those who come to these sonatas for the first time, as well as those familiar with other recorded accounts.
Free Music Review: Pollini has reached a remarkable plateau of mastery
Hit: 5 Stars
Pollini was wise to save Beetoven's Op. 2 piano sonatas for late in his complete cycle, having begun with the late sonatas over three decades ago. He's achieved such ease and mastery that these early works roll off his fingers with silken mastery -- I doubt any contemporary can match him at this oint. The product description and first reviewer her at Amazon try to sell Op. 2 as dramatic, fully realized Beethoven, but in truth there's plenty of Haydnesque classicism in them. What's so marvelous is that Pollini doesn't make the music sound dainty or backward-looking. He achieves a feeling of Beethoven without pumping the music up, either. It's a matter of poise and balance, allowing Beethoven's special excitement peek through wheneer it appears. (Richter, who also favored early Beethoven, tended to punch it out and play over-aggressively.)
Probably this CD will appeal in the end mostly to Beethoven completists, being overshadowed by the "name" sonatas and the revolutionary accomplishment of the late ones. But to anyone who loves Pollini, here's an installment in his cycle that brings as much excitement and delight as any of the others.
Free Music Review: Never sounded early Beethoven so much like Beethoven
Hit: 5 Stars
Maurizio Pollini is approaching the completion of an impressive complete set of sonata recordings. Here we get the first 3 "Haydn" sonatas on a generous cd that is beautifully recorded.
While many performers -I am thinking here especially of the likes of Clara Haskil- have traditionally approached early Beethoven as a Mozart/Haydn/later Beethoven-hybrid, Pollini's approach here is based on the idea that Beethoven was Beethoven right from the start. Although he had already made this point in the Opus 10 sonatas, that were released a few years ago, it is even more striking here.
In addition this recording is full of humor, something that his, to me quite heavy handed approach to Opus 10, missed.
This album has it all. Superb pianism, drama, humor, musicality and lots of drive. Pollini's vision of Beethoven's adaptation of CPE Bach's "Sturm und Drang" is really striking and sounds like nothing that I have heard before.
For all those who have never given these masterpieces there due, since they would not have been "real Beethoven" yet: repent. This disc is at the same level as Pollini's very best and that puts it in a Himalayan category.
Muss es sein? Es muss sein!