Schubert: Piano Sonata D. 960; Piano Sonata D. 840 "Reliquie" [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Track Listings

1. I Molto Moderato

2. Ii Andante Sostenuto

3. Iii Scherzo. Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza

4. Iv Allegro Ma Non Troppo

5. I Moderato

6. Ii Andante

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
First Time on CD. Digitally Remastered.

Tracks:

Sonata In B Flat Major D 960: 1. Molto Moderato
Sonata In B Flat Major D 960: 2. Andante Sostenuto
Sonata In B Flat Major D 960: 3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In B Flat Major D 960: 4. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 1. Allegro Moderato
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 2. Allegro
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 3. Adagio
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 4. Scherzo. Allegro
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 5. Allegro Patetico

Tracks:

Sonata In C Minor D 958: 1. Allegro
Sonata In C Minor D 958: 2. Adagio
Sonata In C Minor D 958: 3. Menuetto. Allegro
Sonata In C Minor D 958: 4. Allegro
Sonata In A Major D 959: 1. Allegro
Sonata In A Major D 959: 2. Andantino
Sonata In A Major D 959: 3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In A Major D 959: 4. Rondo. Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata In G Major D 894(Op. 78): 1. Molto Moderato E Cantabile
Sonata In G Major D 894(Op. 78): 2. Andante
Sonata In G Major D 894(Op. 78): 3. Menuetto. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In G Major D 894(Op. 78): 4. Allegretto
Sonata In D Major D 850 (Op. 53): 1. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In D Major D 850 (Op. 53): 2. Con Motto
Sonata In D Major D 850 (Op. 53): 3. Scherzo. Alegro Vivace
Sonata In D Major D 850 (Op. 53): 4. Rondo. Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor D 845 (Op. 42): 1. Moderato
Sonata In A Minor D 845 (Op. 42): 2. Andante Poco Mosso
Sonata In A Minor D 845 (Op. 42): 3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace - Trio. Un Poco Piu Lento
Sonata In A Minor D 845 (Op. 42): 4. Rondo. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In C Major 840 ('Reliquie' - Fragment): 1. Moderato
Sonata In C Major 840 ('Reliquie' - Fragment): 2. Andante
Sonate In A Minor D 784 (Op. 143): 1. Allegro Giusto
Sonate In A Minor D 784 (Op. 143): 2. Amdante
Sonate In A Minor D 784 (Op. 143): 3. Allegro Vivace

Tracks:

Sonata In a Major D 664 (Op. 120): 1. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In a Major D 664 (Op. 120): 2. Andante
Sonata In a Major D 664 (Op. 120): 3. Allegro
Sonata In F Minor D 625: 4. Allegro
Sonata In F Minor D 625: 2. Scherzo. Allegretto
Sonata In F Minor D 625: 3. Allegro
Sonata In B Major D 575 (Op. 147): 1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonata In B Major D 575 (Op. 147): 2. Andante
Sonata In B Major D 575 (Op. 147): 3. Scherzo. Allegretto
Sonata In B Major D 575 (Op. 147): 4. Allegro Giusto

Tracks:

Sonata In E Flat Major D 568 (Op. 122): 1. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In E Flat Major D 568 (Op. 122): 2. Andante Molto
Sonata In E Flat Major D 568 (Op. 122): 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
Sonata In E Flat Major D 568 (Op. 122): 4. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In A Major D 557: 1. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In A Major D 557: 2. Andante
Sonata In A Major D 557: 3. Allegro
Sonata In E Minor D 556 (First And Second Movements): 1. Moderato
Sonata In E Minor D 556 (First And Second Movements): 2. Allegretto

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor D 537 (Op. 164): 1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonata In A Minor D 537 (Op. 164): 2. Allegretto Quasi Andantino
Sonata In A Minor D 537 (Op. 164): 3. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In C Major D 279 (Fragment): 1. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In C Major D 279 (Fragment): 2. Andante
Sonata In C Major D 279 (Fragment): 3. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In E Major D 157(Fragment): 1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonata In E Major D 157(Fragment): 2. Andante
Sonata In E Major D 157(Fragment): 3. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace

Amazon.com

Wilhelm Kempff was a master of poetic lyricism, with a wondrous keyboard touch and a breathtaking command of subtle dynamics and tonal colorations--all invaluable attributes of any Schubert interpreter. He also had the knack of holding together large structures that can often seem aimless, thus avoiding another trap many pianists fall into, that of lavishing so much attention on passing detail that Schubert's "heavenly lengths" can seem wayward wanderings. The one criticism often heard is that Kempff emphasizes poetry at the expense of drama. This magnificent set leaves that claim unsubstantiated.

Few pianists have been so successful, for example, in what may be Schubert's wildest single movement, the nightmarish Andantino of the A major Sonata, D. 959. Here, Kempff captures the tortured mood of the piece to perfection without breaking its Classical frame. Tempos are generally expansive, but Kempff's tonal luster and unerring sense of natural phrasing never make you want him to step on the accelerator. A special treat is the inclusion of rarely heard early works. Some of these were left unfinished; others reflect a composer still mastering his craft. But most are of more than passing interest, and some have an enchanting, aching beauty. Kempff's Schubert set has been a recording classic since its release on LP; its availability in a space-saving CD box at a budget price is cause for celebration. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Sometimes the old ways are the best.......2007-04-27

Kempff himself wrote the liner notes to this highly satisfying set and states the following: "The deeper we penetrate into the world of Schubert, however, the greater is our surprise at discovering that the 'heavenly length' for which he is reproached is to be regarded relatively. If the length becomes evident as longueurs, the fault lies with the interpreter (I speak from my own experience...)." Indeed, in listening to Kempff play the Schubert sonata canon the thoughts of "overly long" or "needlessly repetitive" never entered my head. Barring some extraordinary performances of individual sonatas over the years, such as Richter's old Russian recording of the c minor (D 958) on Melodiya or Serkin's equally old recording of the B-flat (D 960), this is the best playing of the Schubert sonatas I know.

I used to think of some of the earlier sonatas as practice or training pieces for the later masterworks (which of course by definition they are, but they need not be viewed retrospectively from the vantage point of the late works). Unfortunately, they often sound boring and immature. This is due to defects in players and the playing, not a problem with Schubert. Kempff makes all the sonatas here, including the early ones, glow with the utmost musicality so they stand on their own as beautiful works. Just one example: In the earlier of the a minor sonatas he handles little secondary figures that are intercalated within major theme phrases in an amazingly musical and beautiful way. As a pianist myself, I could never figure out how to make them unobtrusive, let alone desirable. Under Kempff's fingers they fit sublimely into the fabric of the work. The playing is clearly layered, every note and phrase has its place and purpose, his internal logic is such that nothing Schubert wrote sounds less than as it should. One more example: The first movement of the G major sonata ("Fantasy" sonata, D 894) floats in its ethereal haze but goes fast, not slow. Kempff can produce the effect of suspended animation without suspending the actual motion. This is no doubt what Schubert intended but it is very difficult to pull off as a performer. Kempff's treatment of the last 5 sonatas (D, G, A, c minor, and B flat) is breathtaking.

This set is a revelation. What a magnificent panorama of Schubert's development as a composer! Also, the origins of later composers' styles can be traced to Schubert's writing for piano. The roots of Bruckner's iterated and protracted symphonies can be heard, for example, in the way the finale of the a minor sonata begins. (I don't think this is apparent from other players, who lack Kempff's lyricism and mysticism.) Included beside the actual titled sonatas are various fragments of incomplete sonatas and collections of piano pieces that in effect are untitled sonatas (such as D 459/459A).

The recordings are from around 1965-1970 and the piano sound is singing, glowing, radiant. I recommend this set wholeheartedly to anyone interested in great musicianship, masterly piano playing, Schubert's piano music, and Schubert's evolution as a composer. Kempff makes you realize that the magic didn't all happen in the last year of Schubert's life, and I can't think of another pianist who does that for me. (There are few, if any, major players of Schubert with whom I'm not familiar.) Kempff was the leading German pianist of the immediate post-WW II era, but I think he has largely been forgotten. His Schubert, Beethoven, and Brahms are wonderful. Modern players, despite their steel fingers and elephantine endurance and machine-like (sometimes machine-gun-like) techniques, stand to learn a lot from this old master's art.

The Love of Schubert.......2007-03-30

Absolutely must have for true music lover and particularly the music of Schubert. This is already an old recording but still stands up the comparison with later, newer CD's ( Brendel, Schiff,Lupu, Perahia). Kempff, the old master, now deceased, left a memorable,moving and romantic in spirit rendition of Schubert Piano Sonatas (the first complete set). I heard Kempff performed in live, and always thought of him as the greatest German Romantic Pianist.
This set is the work of true love.

Great, but Prefer the Schiff.......2006-08-06

How can it be that the Schiff cycle is out of print? How does that concept even make sense in 2006?

The one review on the late sonatas by Schiff holds some clues as to why they are so special.

I know that years of listening produces version biases, but I really did try and look past that here, but the C minor 958 is so much less dramatic and compelling in this version. The Schiff version is very hypnotic. Kempff's tempos are totally different. It is interesting, during the runs, there is a tremendous sense of fluidity in Kempff's sound, but in the rest of the piece, it sounds too mechanical. The same holds for some of the others, though in some of the pieces, for instance, 568, the results are less pronounced.

Ironically, I usually like the less embellished versions of pieces, especially when a composer like Beethoven is involved and performers reinterpret him as a romantic, but in this case, the opposite is true. 958 in Schiff's version sounds like one of the towering achievements of solo piano. Here, the elements are all there, but the overall effect is lost.

Elegance, accuracy and expressiveness!.......2006-01-24

These gems recordings are authentic milestones performances. Because there has not been any other pianist capable of making sing the piano like Wilhelm Kempff. His fingering is precise and crystalline, the cantabiles are sumptuous and the arpeggios are phrased with such clarity and expression, that hardly you will be able to forget it.

Go for these performances. They are part of the legend.

Heavenly Length and Breadth.......2006-01-11

There are a number of classical pianists who perform Schubert's piano sonatas extremely well (Brendel, Uchida, Schiff, and Richter come immediately to mind), all of whom bring their own individual brilliance to this music. Given that it is probably impossible to render the "best" performance of each of these pieces, the question arises as to why anyone would want to invest in one musician's complete recordings of these sonatas.

My analysis of this question takes into account several factors. The first of these is economic. The Kempff set is budget price and a significant savings over the acquisition of the sonatas by other artists. Even if economics are not a factor, it may be valuable to compare Kempff's way with these pieces with other pianists and this set will allow the collector to at least have one complete set for comparison purposes.

The basis for investing in these recordings is, however, far from solely economic. There seem to be two components a successful Schubertian must bring to the sonatas: an ability to properly convey the various dynamic markings found in each piece and the ability to understand and convey the complete architecture of each piece, instead of being caught up in the various eddies that so many of the movements contain with them. Kempff is able to satisfy both of these components brilliantly. These albums contain what may be the most beautiful pianissimo I have ever heard. Kempff also seems to have a sure conception of each complete work and does not lose the listener in various musical cul de sacs.

In short, performances this beautiful are bargains at any cost.

Average customer rating:

Awesome
Days and Evenings with Schubert and Uchida

Mitsuko Uchida Plays Schubert

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000654OUG
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......2007-05-15

Schubert was a phenomenal composer. This set of CD's is now one of my most treasured possessions. His last sonata is almost 45 min long, an epic peice. Not for one second does Uchida's playing slow; she holds you completely engrossed in music so beautiful.

The sound quality is superb, the playing dense in personality and detail. As the previous reviewer mentioned, anyone interested in the piano, Uchida or Schubert this is a must have masterpeice.

Days and Evenings with Schubert and Uchida.......2006-01-31

Mitsuko Uchida is one of the major stars of the piano keyboard today and while her repertoire is wide, her interpretation of Franz Schubert's piano music is among the finest both on the concert stage and on recording. The two seem to be from the same soul: Uchida somehow finds the spiritual core of Schubert and traverses the hurdles of his Olympian pieces with complete ease and assurance.

This 8 CD set includes three sets of Impromptus (D899, 935, 946), Moments musicaux D780, German Dances D 820 an D790, and the Piano Sonatas numbers 4, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. The placing of these works on the individual CDs creates a series of eight recitals and each disc is rich and satisfying. Playing all eight CDs in one day makes for one of the most rewarding musical experiences available.

The recorded sound is superb and Uchida is in top form for each selection. This is fine as Schubert gets and the entire set is more than well worth the relatively modest price. For lovers of the piano, of Mitsuko Uchida, and of Schubert this is zenith release. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 06

Average customer rating:

One of the best of the Masterworks series
Will not buy this
Worth it!
Great way to jumpstart a schubert collection
Better to Pick a Few First-rate Performances

Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00062FLJC
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

One of the best of the Masterworks series.......2007-07-06

Brilliant Classics' "Masterworks" series, if you can get them cheaply (and currently they go for about $1/CD from Amazon's France Web site), are a great way to amass a significant library of the works of several great computers. The production values and the performances themselves are uneven, and the interpretations are not always historically-informed (unlike the bulk of Brilliant's "Complete Editions" of the works of Bach and Mozart). But there are numerous gems in the rough in The Masterworks, and the economic value is unsurpassed, even if you were to throw away half of the CDs in each set.

You're unlikely to throw away much of this Schubert collection though. This seems to be the finest of the Masterworks sets, with a succession of solid, often first-rate performances of most of the major Schubert works. Here's what you get:

- The symphonies, performed by The Hanover Band in a historically-informed style. Very interesting performances perhaps marred by an odd recording balance that makes the woodwinds sound distant. Takes up four CDs
- The six Latin masses. Also the Deutsche Messe in the version with wind instruments. Five CDs in all
- Edison Denisov's completion of Schubert's unfinished dramatic work Lazarus (2 CDs, Helmuth Rilling's premier recording)
- The last four string quartets (including the Quartettsatz) with #9 thrown in. Also the octet, piano quintet ("The Trout"), string quintet and both piano trios. In short all the canonical chamber works. Performances are strong, and well recorded
- Two CDs of violin/piano duets, including Op. 137 and Op. 162
- 19 of the 21 "canonical" piano sonatas (missing #7 and #12) as well as the Moments Musicaux, Impromptus, German Dances, Wanderer Fantasy and several other piano works, 11 CDs in all. As with the chamber music, the performances and recordings are strong, often stunning
- Two CDs of piano duets, including the Divertissements and D. 617
- Song cycles: Die Schöne Müllerin, Winterreise, Schwanengesang, and four CDs of standalone songs, including such "standards" as Erlkönig and Gretchen am Spinnrade. The singers are a bit uneven here, ranging from standouts Robert Holl, Deitrich Fischer-Dieskau and John Shirley-Quirk to the somewhat shrill Arleen Augér

Missing from the collection is Rosamunde, and a number of famous songs: Die Forelle (The Trout), Death and the Maiden, Ellens Gesang III (the so-called Ave Maria, D. 839), Der Hirt auf dem Felsen and Der Wanderer. But you do have almost all the important instrumental works, and most of the vocal works generally considered to be essential, with some padding added in the form of minor works such as the parochial Deutsche Messe, the German Dances, and the modernist-informed completion of Lazarus by the 20th Century Russian composer Denisov.

As with the other Masterworks sets, there are no program notes. You'll need to do your own research. Answers.com is a good starting point for Schubert compositions. There are also no song texts or translations provided, so again you'll need to track down your own. Try "The Lied and Art Song Texts Page" for lieder lyrics and translations. Hunt down a good price on this collection, browsing one of Amazon's European sites if necessary, and treat yourself to many hours of lovely music for the cost of a modest night out.

Will not buy this.......2007-03-16

I can't see D965 or D945 on this 40 disks worth of Schubert. Bizarre! There are so many great songs missing it scares me.

Worth it!.......2006-12-19

One of the best in "The Masterpices" series. Many of the discs (the symphonies in particular) were licensed from Nimbus and other full-line labels. Not all that long ago these discs would have set you back $18 to $20 a piece. That said, I still wouldn't part with my Hyperion collection. 40 CD's at this price... you can't go wrong.

Great way to jumpstart a schubert collection.......2006-12-19

Hartmut Holl, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Stephanie Brown, and Jaime Laredo as well as the Stuttgart Bach Collegium performing Schubert are hardly "left-behind artists and ensembles" as the previous naysayer states. These are licensed from major label releases and from the original masters issued at a bargain price, especially for the number of discs you get. Sound quality ranges from good to excellent. Good for all Schubertians and anyone who wants to jumpstart a Schubert collection.

Better to Pick a Few First-rate Performances.......2006-11-14

This is a bargain in dollar/listening time ratio, but who cares? There are many second-rate performances by left-behind artists and ensembles. Obviously the economics of resurrecting disks that don't require royalties has been the driving factor of selection. (On the other hand, the complete edition boxed sets of Bach and Mozart, which you'll find if you look, are stupendous successes artistically.)

Schubert: Piano Sonata D. 960; Piano Sonata D. 840 "Reliquie"

Average customer rating:

A DIFFICULT CALL

Schubert: Piano Sonata D. 960; Piano Sonata D. 840 "Reliquie"

Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schubert: Sonata D. 959; Four Impromptus, D. 935

ASIN: B0000AKPHK
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

I Molto Moderato
Ii Andante Sostenuto
Iii Scherzo. Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza
Iv Allegro Ma Non Troppo
I Moderato
Ii Andante

Album Details

First Time on CD. Digitally Remastered.

Customer Reviews:

A DIFFICULT CALL.......2004-02-06

By now I have more or less concluded that I shall never hear my ideal performance of Schubert's great last sonata. This is partly down to my feeling that it is not a completely satisfactory piece. It starts with one of the most sublime sequences that Schubert or anyone ever conceived, but then the thematic material goes downhill a bit, ending, I really think, in sheer triviality. The `development' then picks up the trivial motif and transforms it back into utter sublimity, but then again the end of the movement is perfunctory and inadequate. The slow movement and finale, though good, do not strike me as being anywhere near equal to their counterparts in the great companion pieces in C minor and A major either.

Nobody has cracked the problem to my satisfaction. Curzon and Zacharias are probably the safest bets, particularly Curzon who takes an unusually flowing tempo in the opening molto moderato. The biggest `personalities' among interpreters that I know are a bit controversial - Richter's speed in the first movement I believe to be ridiculously slow whatever anyone tells me to the contrary, and I have never reconciled myself to Serkin's handling of the very end of the work where I think he uses too much pedal. Once Serkin made up his mind, of course, there was no changing it, and that is the way he does the sequence in the other recording I have from him, and that is the way he did it when I heard him live. With these great players one often has to take what one doesn't greatly like for the sake of the things that made them so special. The slow movement, for me, needs charm, and one might as well expect charm from the prophet Isaiah as from the prophet Serkin. I still can't make up my mind whether I like his scherzo or not - it may be a touch too slow, but on the other hand there is the shadow of death over this movement, as there is over the start of the piece right from its third note, and one `controversial' touch that appeals to me strongly is the typical emphasis that Serkin gives to the sforzandos in the trio.

So far as I know, Serkin only ever played the last three Schubert sonatas - and the so-called Reliquie. Many years ago, when Serkin was at the height of his fashionableness, I saw a routine-minded review that informed me that `Serkin brings all his interpretative powers to it' or some such phrase. It is not expressing any value-judgment to say that that is precisely what he does not do. The composer's markings are visibly incomplete, and Serkin refuses to go beyond them. The wonderful development section in the first movement manifestly recalls Erlkoenig with its drumming repeated triplets and its anguished `Mein Vater, mein Vater' minor ninth at the climax. Brendel supplies the crescendo that the passage is crying out for, but Serkin will not go a step beyond what the composer has explicitly indicated. The excellent recent biography does not shed any light on what may have been in Serkin's mind in recording this piece in the first place. It is quite obviously a symphony in piano score and not a piano composition at all. Much of the orchestration is glaringly easy to supply. I do not know the ins and outs of the scholarly arguments regarding the identity of the lost `Gastein' symphony except that it was supposed to have been in C major, and I absolutely do not buy Tovey's candidate the Grand Duo. The Great C Major itself seemed to be the front-runner last time I heard anything about it, but I wonder whether there has been enough attention given to the possibility that this is it - the Reliquie. One way or another the first movement is utterly marvellous, and among Schubert's million modulations I would point to the two near the end of the exposition and recapitulation as being the most astounding of all.

Customer Reviews:

Highly Recommended.......2000-09-26

Not only is the B flat major piano sonata one of Schubert's greater works, this is a damn fine recording. Bilson's 1830 fortepiano sounds wonderful, with some of the most powerful, rich low notes I've ever heard. The sound is great and the performance is excellent. Bilson displays a wonderful sensitivity to this work, proving his stamina in the opening molto moderato along with a very moving andante sostenuto. You may find yourself listening repeatedly to that second movement before taking in the rest, as I have on occasion. The unfinished sonata is here given Bilson's own completion, though he argues in the liner notes that it may've been intended as a two-movement work. I admit I was suspicious of the Hungaroton label, and the silly cover art gave me further hesitation (Malcolm Bilson in FOUR POSES!) but I was really taken with the music. Schubert may very well be my favorite piano composer and this is certainly one of my favorite fortepiano recordings.

Average customer rating:

A great compilation
Liszt
Incomparable Brendel
Beutiful

The Art Of Alfred Brendel

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000041E6
Release Date: 1996-03-12

Tracks:

Andante con variazioni In F Minor, Hob. XVII:6
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 1. Allegro
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 2. Adagio e cantabile
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 3. Finale. Tempo di minuetto
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 1. Allegro
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 2. Adagio
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 3. Allegro molto
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 1. Allegro
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 2. Adagio
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 3. Finale. Presto

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 1. Allegro maestoso
Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 2. Andante cantabile con espressione
Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 3. Presto
Fantasia In C Minor, KV 475: Adagio - Allegro - Andantino - Piu allegro - Tempo I
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 1. Molto allegro
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 2. Adagio
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 3. Allegro assai
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 1. Allegro
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 2. Andante cantabile
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 3. Allegretto grazioso

Tracks:

Sonata In A, KV 331: 1. Tema con variazioni
Sonata In A, KV 331: 2. Menuetto
Sonata In A, KV 331: 3. Alla turca. Allegretto
Rondo In A Minor, KV 511: Andante
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 2. Andantino
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 3. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 2. Andante
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 3. Allegro vivace assai

Tracks:

Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 1. Allegro
Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 2. Andante
Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 3. Rondeaux. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 2. (Andante)
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 3. Allegro
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 2. Allegretto
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 3. Allegro assai

Tracks:

Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 2. Larghetto
Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 3. Allegretto
Adagio In B Minor, KV 540
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 2. Larghetto
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 1. Allegro con brio
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 2. Adagio
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 3. Scherzo. Allegro
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 4. Allegro assai
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 1. Allegro con brio
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 2. Adagio con molta espressione
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 3. Minuetto
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 4. Rondo. Allegretto
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 1. Allegro
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 2. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 3. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 4. Presto con fuoco
Bagatelle In A Minor, WoO 59 'Fur Elise'
6 Ecossaises, WoO 83

Tracks:

6 Variations In F, Op.34: Thema
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation I
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation II
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation III
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation IV
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation V
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation VI - Coda
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Thema
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation I
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation II
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation III
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation IV
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation V - Coda
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Thema
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation I
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation II
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation III
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation IV
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation V
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation VI
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Tema: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation I: Alla marcia maestoso
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation II: Poco allegro
Variation III: L'istesso tempo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation IV: Un poco piu vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation V: Allegro vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation VI: Allegro ma non troppo e serioso
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation VII: Un poco piu allegro
Variation VIII: Poco vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation IX: Allegro pesante e risoluto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation X: Presto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XI: Allegretto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XII: Un poco piu moto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XIII: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XIV: Grave e maestoso
Variation XV: Presto scherzando
Variation XVI: Allegro - Variation XVII
Variation XVIII: Poco moderato
Variation XIX: Presto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XX: Andante
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXI: Allegro con brio - Meno allegro
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXII: Allegro molto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXIII: Allegro assai
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXIV: Fughetta. Andante
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXV: Allegro
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVI
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVII: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVIII: Allegro
Variation XXIX: Adagio ma non troppo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXX: Andante, sempre cantabile
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXI: Largo, molto espressivo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXII: Fuga. Allegro - Poco adagio
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXIII: Tempo di minuetto moderato

Tracks:

SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 1. Allegro assai
SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 2. Andante con moto
SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 3. Allegro ma non troppo
Andante In F, WoO 57 (Andante favori)
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 1. Allegro
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 2. Scherzo. Assai vivace
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 3. Adagio sostenuto. Apassionata e con molto sentimento
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 4. Largo - Allegro risoluto

Tracks:

15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Introduzione col basso del tema - Tema
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation I
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation II
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation III
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation IV
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation V
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation VI-VII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation VIII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation IX
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation X
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XI
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XIII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XIV-XV
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Finale. alla fuga
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 1. Andante con moto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 2. Allegro
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 3. Andante cantabile e grazioso
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 4. Presto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 5. Quasi allegretto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 6. Presto - Andante amabile e con moto - Tempo I
Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 1. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo
Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 2. Allegro vivace
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 1. Vivace, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo - Tempo I
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 2. Prestissimo
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 3. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 1. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 2. Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 3. Rondo. Vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 1. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 2. Adagio un poco mosso - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 1. Allegro, ma non troppo - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 2. Allegretto quasi andantino - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 3. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 1. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 3. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 1. Allegro giusto - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 3. Allegro vivace - Schubert
16 German Dances, D. 783 - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In C, D. 840: 1. Moderato - Schubert
Sonata In C, D. 840: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 1. Moderato - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 2. Andante un poco moto - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio. Un poco piu lento - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 4. Rondo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Fantasy In C, D. 760 'Wanderer' Fantasy - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In D, D. 850: 1. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 2. Con moto - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 4. Rondo. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 1. Molto moderato e cantabile - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 3. Menuetto. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 4. Allegretto - Schubert
Allegretto In C Minor, D. 915 - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 1. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 2. Adagio - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 3. Menuetto. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 4. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 1. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 2. Andantino - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 4. Rondo. Allegretto - Schubert
12 German Dances, D. 790 (Ller) - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 1. Molto moderato - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 2. Andante sostenuto - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace con delicatezza - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 4. Allegro ma non troppo - Schubert
11 Ecossaises, D. 781 - Schubert
Hungarian Melody In B Minor, D. 817 - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 1 In C, en ut majeur - Moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 2 In A Flat, As-dur, en la bemol majeur - Andantino - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 3 In F Minor, f-moll, en fa mineur - Allegro moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 4 In C Sharp Minor, cis-moll, en ut diese mineur - Moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 5 In F Minor, f-moll, en fa mineur - Allegro Vivace - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 6 In A Flat, As-dur, en la bemol majeur - Allegretto - Schubert

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 1. Allegro maestoso
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 2. Quasi adagio - Allegretto vivace - Allegro animato
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 3. Allegro marziale animato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 1. Adagio sostenuto assai - Allegro agitato assai
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 2. Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 3. Allegro deciso - Marziale un poco meno allegro
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 4. Allegro animato
Danse macabre, Paraphrase On (Dies Irea): Danse macabre, Paraphrase On Dies Irea
Csardas macabre
Valse oubliee No. 1 In F Sharp

Tracks:

Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 1. Chapelle de Guillaume Tell
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 2. Au lac de Wallenstadt
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 3. Pastorale
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 4. Au bord d'une source
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 5. Orage
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 6. Vallee d'Obermann
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 7. Eglogue
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 8. Le mal du pays
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 9. Les cloches de Geneve (Nocturne)
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 1. Sposalizio
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 2. Il Penseroso
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 3. Canzonetta del Salvator Rosa
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 4. Sonetto 47 del Petrarca
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 5. Sonetto 104 del Petrarca
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 6. Sonetto 123 del Petrarca

Tracks:

Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 7. Apres une lecture de Dante (Fantasia quasi Sonata)
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 2. Aux cypres de la Villa d'Este. Threnodie No. 1
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 4. Les jeux d'eau de la Villa d'Este
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 5. Sunt lacrimae rerum (En mode hongrois)
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 7. Sursum corda (Erhebet eure Herzen)
Weihnachtsbaum-Suite: 7. Schlummerlied
Weihnachtsbaum-Suite: 9. Abendglocken
Trube Wolken
Klavierstuck In F Sharp, S. 192 No. 3
En Reve - Nocturne
R.W. - Venezia
Vexilla regis prodeunt
Mosonyis Grabgeleit
Schlaflos! Frage und Antwort
Unstern - Sinistre

Tracks:

Sonata In B Minor: Lento assai - Allegro energico
Sonata In B Minor: Andante sostenuto
Sonata In B Minor: Allegro energico-Andante sostenuto-Lento assai
La lugubre gondola No.1
La lugubre gondola No.2
Legendes: 1. Saint Francois d'Assise: la predication aux aiseaux
Legendes: 2. Saint Francois de Paule marchant sur les flots
Harmonies poetiqes et religieuses: No. 7 Funerailles

Tracks:

Fantasia and Fugue on Theme B-A-C-H
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No. 1 Invocations
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No.3 Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No.4 Pensees des morts
Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
Isoldens Liebestod: Isoldens Liebestod: Final Scene From Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde'

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 1. Maestoso - Poco piu moderato
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 2. Adagio
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 3. Rondo. Allegro non troppo - Piu animato - Tempo I
Theme And Variations

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 2. Allegro appassionato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 3. Andante - Piu adagio
Four Ballades, Op. 10: 4. Allegretto grazioso - Un poco piu presto
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 1 In D Minor
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 2 In D
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 3 In B Minor
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 4 In B

Tracks:

Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 1. Ausserst bewegt
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 2. Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch - Intermezzo I (Sehr lebhaft) - Intermezzo II (Etwas bewegter)
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 3. Sehr aufgeregt
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 4. Sehr langsam
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 5. Sehr lebhaft
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 6. Sehr langsam
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 7. Sehr rasch
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 8. Schnell und spielend
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 1. Von fremden Landern und Menschen
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 2. Kuriouse Geschichte
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 3. Haschemann
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 4. Bittendes Kind
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 5. Gluckes genug
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 6. Wichtige Begebenheit
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 7. Traumerei
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 8. Am Kamin
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 9. Ritter vom Steckenpferd
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 10. Fast zu ernst
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 11. Furchtenmachen
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 12. Kind im Einschlummern
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 13. Der Dichter spricht
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 1. Des Abends
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 2. Aufschwung
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 3. Warum?
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 4. Grillen
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 5. In der Nacht
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 6. Fabel
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 7. Traumes-Wirren
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 8. Ende vom Lied

Tracks:

Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 1. Thema
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 2. Variation III
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 3. Etude I
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 4. Variation I
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 5. Variation II
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 6. Etude II
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 7. Etude III
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 8. Etude IV
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 9. Etude V
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 10. Variation IV
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 11. Etude VI
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 12. Etude VII
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 13. Etude VIII
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 14. Etude IX
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 15. Variation V
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 16. Etude X
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 17. Etude XI
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 18. Etude XII
3 Romances, Op.94: 1. Nicht scnell
3 Romances, Op.94: 2. Einfach, innig
3 Romances, Op.94: 3. Nicht scnell
Abendlied, Op. 85 No. 12
Adagio und Allegro In A Flat, Op. 70
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 1. Zart und mit Ausdruck
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 2. Lebhaft, leicht
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 3. Rasch und mit Feuer

Tracks:

5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 2 Langsam
5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 3 Nicht schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen
5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 4 Nicht zu rasch
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Allegro affettuoso
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Intermezzo. Andantino gracioso
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Allegro vivace
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen- im Legendenton - Tempo primo
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Massig Durchaus energisch - Etwas langsamer - Viel bewegter
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten - Etwas bewegter

Customer Reviews:

A great compilation.......2004-04-25

Ever since I got a disc of Alfred Brendel playing Beethoven's favourite piano sonatas, I've had a special attention for his recordings and his view on music. To me, he is one of the best examples of a perfectionist. Lazy listeners call his way of playing pedantic but that is completely untrue. Listen more closely to any of is recordings and you'll hear an endless variety of colours, the most shimmering nuances and above all, tremendous warmth. But he is certainly not a perfectionist in the negative sense that is sometimes attached to the word: aside from being imposingly musical, his performances always have a great feeling of 'humanity'. There are many other great performers of the German repertoire (from Haydn to Brahms) but Brendel's recordings have a special familiarity to me, and he gives more than anyone else the feeling to me that the composer's genuine thoughts are present in the performance.

Brendel has a very special tone that accustoms itself very well to many different kinds of pieces. One of the essays in this great set deals with the many different sounds Brendel can create at the piano, something that intrigues me very much too. It is fascinating to hear how he touches the keys in his Mozart and Haydn recordings: here, he gets a sound out of the grand piano that sounds almost like the ancient fortepiano. Combined with his sharp and almost biting playing, he preserves some of the spirit of the time in which the works were composed, but combines this with the much richer and detailed sound of a modern instrument. Haydn's sonatas sparkle and so do Mozart's concertos.

In his Beethoven recordings, which are very well represented in this set, Brendel uses a somewhat similar style, but adapts more to the Beethovenian sound world: his tone is still aggressive but a little mellower and greater. He focuses a lot on small details and plays with a rather gentle sound in the variations, while his Hammerklavier doesn't avoid the grand gesture. The Piano concertos with Levine are full of joy and superbly crisp. Beethoven's works can be performed in a more massive or sweeter way, but that's what other recordings are for.

Brendel's Schubert is very notable for its total avoidance of the sweet and precious image of the composer that has settled somehow. Here, Schubert is presented as an ultimately dark and despairing composer, an image that is very appropriate regarding his general output. While Brendel sometimes tends to calm a bit of the hysteria in pieces like Beethoven's Appassionata, in Schubert he mainly emphasizes it. Hear how he attacks the Wanderer Fantasy, especially in the last minutes. Or how severely he gets the A minor sonata D784 to its throat. This is essentially the way I think Schubert should always sound.

It will be surprising for some to notice how much of Liszt has been recorded by Brendel, and also to hear how they sound. The Liszt recordings in this set show the composer from his most intellectual and imposing side. Brendel may generate an enormous sound that not everyone will associate with him from "Orage" in the Années de Pelerinage, but it is impressive rather than showy. Similarly, the Sonata receives the most detailed and complete performance I've heard, the Piano Concertos are simply stunning on all accounts and the variations on a Bach cantata show both the composer and the performer at their very best. It may be surprising to hear but I think you won't hear any better Liszt than this.

Finally there's a box dedicated to Brahms and Schumann. Brahms is another surprise. Brendel's D minor Concerto is one of the most impressive readings I've heard, close to Serkin/Szell, and his B flat is fine too, if a bit less impressive. His playing style here somewhat resembles that of his Liszt: it is rich, grand and always commanding. Few performers are as well able as Brendel is to match the endlessly complex musical thread of these two concertos. The fourth Ballade op.10 settles among the best readings - Kempff, Arrau, you name them. The Schumann pieces are performed in a way resembling Beethoven's smaller works: they create the same familiar living-room image, and it gets even more beautiful when oboist Heinz Holliger joins him to play a few folksong-like pieces. The set closes with a wonderful Schumann fantasy.

The track listing say that there's a bonus disc included as well, containing Brendel's first recording of Liszt's Christmas Tree suite, but my own set did actually not contain this bonus disc. With or without that disc, this is a set any piano aficionado should not miss. The only drawback can be the price, which is pretty high (not surprising with such a huge set)--if you can find it at all, now that the set seems to be OOP. At any cost, this is one the best box sets I own. If contains a thorough look at one of the most profound and intellectual artists of recent time and gives endless enjoyment.

Liszt.......2001-05-11

I recently purchased the boxed set of just the Liszt items from The Art of Alfred Brendel. I learned to love Schubert piano music by listening to Brendel, but Liszt was something of an exploration. And what a guide to take you on the journey! If you get the opportunity to get the Liszt set don't turn it up in preference to the more respected composers - Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert etc.

Incomparable Brendel.......2000-12-29

I wish to focus on the works of Liszt included in this gargantuan package. Brendel is held in universal esteem, regarded by many as the greatest living pianist. His reputation is of unimpeachable musicality and seriousness of purpose (which does not contradict his ability to find musical humor wherever it lurks). He shows unparalleled ability to get to the musical core of the "Great Repertory" (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms); his performances leave mere pianism far behind. His championing of Liszt's music is especially important for just this reason. Liszt is too often accused of flashy superficiality. Nobody can accuse Brendel of this fault. And his Liszt recordings are among the most intellectual and probing, yet most moving, of any. He reveals Liszt as a daring and supremely important master. The pyrotechnics of the piano concerti are invested with real meaning, and the utterly spare, laconic late pieces become profound meditations on the human condition. His readings of Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude and of the Variations on Bach's "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen" make one grateful for the very existence of music -- and for the capacity to capture it for posterity in recordings.

Beutiful.......2000-04-05

This is beutiful music. I have played some of his pieces on my flute and they are absoultly gorgeous. If you are a true classical music lover then you must buy this and have many nights by the fire with this wonderful music in the backround.

Average customer rating:

Schubert: Klaviersonaten (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Capriccio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000001WWZ
Release Date: 1997-04-08

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor, D 537 Op. Posth. 164: I. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Sonata In A Minor, D 537 Op. Posth. 164: II. Allegretto, Quasi Andantino
Sonata In A Minor, D 537 Op. Posth. 164: III. Allegretto Vivace
Sonata In E Flat Major, D 568 Op. Posth. 122: I. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In E Flat Major, D 568 Op. Posth. 122: II. Andante Molto
Sonata In E Flat Major, D 568 Op. Posth. 122: III. Menuetto, Allegretto
Sonata In E Flat Major, D 568 Op. Posth. 122: IV. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In C Major, D 840 'Reliquie': Moderato
Sonata In C Major, D 840 'Reliquie': Andante

Tracks:

Sonata In A Major, D 959 Op. Posth: I. Allegro
Sonata In A Major, D 959 Op. Posth: II. Andantino
Sonata In A Major, D 959 Op. Posth: III. Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Sonata In A Major, D 959 Op. Posth: IV. Rondo: Allegretto
Sonata In B Flat Major, D 960 Op. Posth: I. Molto Moderato
Sonata In B Flat Major, D 960 Op. Posth: II. Andante Sostenuto
Sonata In B Flat Major, D 960 Op. Posth: III. Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Sonata In B Flat Major, D 960 Op. Posth: IV. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

Average customer rating:

Deja-vu
5-star All-around
Wonderful Collection of Schubert's Piano Sonatas

Schubert: Piano Sonatas

Manufacturer: Arcana
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00001NTIE
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Tracks:

Son No.1in E, D157: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Son No.1in E, D157: II. Andante
Son No.1in E, D157: III. Menuetto. Allego Vivace
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: II. Andante
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: III. Adagio
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: IV. Scherzo Con Trio. Allegro
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: V. Allegro Patetico
Son No.9 in B,Op.147,D575: I. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Son No.9 in B,Op.147,D575: II. Andante
Son No.9 in B,Op.147,D575: III. Scherzo. Allegretto
Son No.9 in B,Op.147,D575: IV. Allegro Giusto

Tracks:

Son No.2 in C, D279/346: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.2 in C, D279/346: II. Andante
Son No.2 in C, D279/346: III. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace
Son No.2 in C, D279/346: IV. Allegretto, D346
Son No.6 in e, D566/506: I. Moderato
Son No.6 in e, D566/506: II. Allegretto
Son No.6 in e, D566/506: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.6 in e, D566/506: IV. Rondo. Allegretto Moto, Op.145/2, D506
Son No.8 in f, D571/604/570: I. Allegro Moderato, D571
Son No.8 in f, D571/604/570: II. (D604)
Son No.8 in f, D571/604/570: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace, D570
Son No.8 in f, D571/604/570: IV. Allegro D570

Tracks:

Son No.7 in E flat, Op.122, D568: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.7 in E flat, Op.122, D568: II. Andante Molto
Son No.7 in E flat, Op.122, D568: III. Menuetto, Allegretto
Son No.7 in E flat, Op.122, D568: IV. Allegro Moderato
Son No.10 in C, D613/612: I. Moderato
Son No.10 in C, D613/612: II. Adagio, D612
Son No.10 in C, D613/612: III. (Allegretto)
Son No.11 in f, D625/505: I. Allegro
Son No.11 in f, D625/505: II. Scherzo. Allegretto
Son No.11 in f, D625/505: III. Adagio, Op.145/I
Son No.11 in f, D625/505: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Son No.15 in C, (Reliquie), D840: I. Moderato
Son No.15 in C, (Reliquie), D840: II. Andante
Son No.15 in C, (Reliquie), D840: III. Menuetto. Allegretto
Son No.15 in C, (Reliquie), D840: IV. Rondo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.18 in c, D958: I. Allegro
Son No.18 in c, D958: II. Adagio
Son No.18 in c, D958: III. Menuetto. Allegro
Son No.18 in c, D958: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Son No.15 in a, Op.42, D845: I. Moderato
Son No.15 in a, Op.42, D845: II. Andante, Poco Mosso
Son No.15 in a, Op.42, D845: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.15 in a, Op.42, D845: IV. Rondo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.16 in D, Op.53, D850: I. Allegro
Son No.16 in D, Op.53, D850: II. Andante Con Moto
Son No.16 in D, Op.53, D850: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.16 in D, Op.53, D850: IV. Rondo. Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Son No.4 in a, Op.164, D537: I. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Son No.4 in a, Op.164, D537: II. Allegretto Quasi Andantino
Son No.4 in a, Op.164, D537: III. Allegro Vivace
Son No.17 in G, Op.78, D894: I. Molto Moderato E Cantabile
Son No.17 in G, Op.78, D894: II. Andante
Son No.17 in G, Op.78, D894: III. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace
Son No.17 in G, Op.78, D894: IV. Allegretto

Tracks:

Son No.13 in a, Op.143, D784: I. Moderato
Son No.13 in a, Op.143, D784: II. Andante
Son No.13 in a, Op.143, D784: III. Allegro Vivace
Son No.19 in A, D959: I. Allegro
Son No.19 in A, D959: II. Andantino
Son No.19 in A, D959: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace - Trio. Un Poco Piu Lento
Son No.19 in A, D959: IV. Rondo. Allegretto

Tracks:

Son No.5 in A flat, D557: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.5 in A flat, D557: II. Andante
Son No.5 in A flat, D557: III. Allegro
Son No.12 in A, Op.120, D664: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.12 in A, Op.120, D664: II. Andante
Son No.12 in A, Op.120, D664: III. Allegro
Son No.20 in B flat, D960: I. Molto Moderato
Son No.20 in B flat, D960: II. Andante Sostenuto
Son No.20 in B flat, D960: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza
Son No.20 in B flat, D960: IV. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

Customer Reviews:

Deja-vu.......2005-08-24

Over three decades ago I heard Paul Badura-Skoda perform the Schubert piano sonatas in a series of concerts in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. At the same time he gave intimate lecture-recitals in the much smaller Purcell Room, in which he discussed many of the works, playing illustrations, and then performing the movement in its entirety. At the time my wife and I often slightly preferred the performances he gave in the smaller space.

Some years later I bought the complete RCA set and prized them highly. Just this month I have finally found (through Amazon) a set of his later fortepiano recordings, sadly OP. I find to my eternal joy that they are more like those Purcell Room lecture performances. In the slow movements there is the intimacy, the introspection which must have charactarized the composer's own salon performances to a circle of his friends. Today these sonatas virtually belong to Badura Skoda--it is as if, for a time, he had become Schubert himself.

Watch for another set to appear and grab it when you can.

5-star All-around.......2003-11-06

I won't comment on the musicianship of these performances, which I cannot find words to paise. I'd just like to comment that hearing this music on a pianoforte is a revelation! The effects produced carry *meaning*, it really makes a difference. On a modern piano, the sound is of course more lush, but expressiveness suffers. (I guess one corollary is that Schubert would have written differently if in possession of a today's piano.)

Wonderful Collection of Schubert's Piano Sonatas.......2001-07-26

This is a wonderful collection of Schubert's piano sonatas. I bought some of Paul Badura-Skoda's performances of Schubert's piano sonatas in 1970s, and I liked them so much that I wanted to collect all of his performances, but unfortunately his LPs became out of stock. When I found his CDs ... I was thrilled, thinking long-sought Badura-Skoda's Schubert was to be obtained. However, when the ordered CDs arrived, I found, with a mixture of feelings, that they are not the CDs of his former performances, but new ones. I listened to all the sonatas more than five times, and now I can say this collection is as beautiful as the first one, and I would like to recommend it to all those who love Schubert's piano sonatas.

In those CDs, Badura-Skoda plays Schubert's piano sonatas, using some original fortepianos. The sounds therefore are very different from those of his first recording: rather rich and straight than elegant and refined. But it is a great pleasure to find some new aspects of Schubert's piano sonatas, very different from the greatness Brendel or Uchida has shown us. Badura-Skoda's Schubert is closer to us and gives us an impression that the pianist himself really loves Schubert and is enjoying playing his works. Yes, sometimes Badura-Skoda enjoys Schubert's playfulness. Listen to the ending of the first movement of the D major sonata (Op.53). You will be surprised and will laugh.

What makes this collection unique is that, unlike Brendel or Uchida, Badura-Skoda tries to include all the piano sonatas from Schubert's early days, supplementing unfinished parts. He did so in his first recording, and I like these efforts of his. He seems to be trying to show us something hidden in the unfinished works. As an amateur lover of music, I appreciate his efforts which provide me with what specialists can obtain just by looking at Schubert's sketches.

The only problem is that the information of the content of each CD is lacking. You have to make a content of each CD by yourself! The backs of the two containers are blank. I think these backs should carry information of the content of the CDs, which is a common practice of CD companies.