Ivan Moravec Plays Beethoven, Vol.2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
These memorable performances come from Ivan Moravec's Connoisseur Society recordings of 1962-70. That series, even more than his concerts, helped make the pianist's reputation among (appropriately enough) connoisseurs, as one of our greatest pianists. The disc is truly a collection of wonders: unaffected yet intense performances of familiar music, with never a cliché of interpretation or an indifferent moment. Moravec isn't known as a player of virtuoso showpieces, but the finales of the Moonlight and Appassionata show that he has technique and power in abundance. The recordings, outstanding for their time, still sound realistic and rich-toned. It's a pity that Moravec hasn't recorded more; savvy pianophiles should snap up whatever they can. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata': Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata': Andante con moto
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata': Allegro ma non troppo - presto
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, 'Pathetique': Grave - allegro molto e con brio
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, 'Pathetique': Adagio cantabile
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, 'Pathetique': Rondo (allegro)
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': Adagio sostenuto
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': Presto agitato
Piano Sonata No. 26 In E-Flat Major, Op. 81a, 'Les Adieux': Lebewohl, Adagio - allegro
Piano Sonata No. 26 In E-Flat Major, Op. 81a, 'Les Adieux': Abwesenheit, Andante espressivo
Piano Sonata No. 26 In E-Flat Major, Op. 81a, 'Les Adieux': Wiedersehen, Vivacissimamente

Amazon.com

These memorable performances come from Ivan Moravec's Connoisseur Society recordings of 1962-70. That series, even more than his concerts, helped make the pianist's reputation among (appropriately enough) connoisseurs, as one of our greatest pianists. The disc is truly a collection of wonders: unaffected yet intense performances of familiar music, with never a cliché of interpretation or an indifferent moment. Moravec isn't known as a player of virtuoso showpieces, but the finales of the Moonlight and Appassionata show that he has technique and power in abundance. The recordings, outstanding for their time, still sound realistic and rich-toned. It's a pity that Moravec hasn't recorded more; savvy pianophiles should snap up whatever they can. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Moravec rules!.......2002-08-29

My first recording of the "big three" Beethoven Sonatas (the Moonlight, Pathetique and Appasionata) was Rudolf Serkin on Columbia Masterworks. I was encouraged to purchase it over the recording by Rubinstein on RCA because of Serkin's reputation as a Beethoven specialist. Although one cannot argue with Serkin's playing, I later learned that Rubinstein had special insights to bring to this music and thus I eagerly awaited its release in CD format so I could add it to my collection.

The "big three" don't fill out the CD format well enough in terms of minutes used, so it is now customary to add "Les Adieux" to the program. Thus we have a collection of Beethoven's most famous "named" piano sonatas (well, of course, this leaves out other worthy entries including the "Tempest", "Waldstein" and "Hammerklavier" sonatas). The Rubinstein recording, and the Moravec recording, consist of these "big four".

In a head-to-head comparison between Moravec's recording and Rubinstein, I surprisingly came away prefering Moravec's in all four sonatas. This was no mean feat, as I had come to appreciate Rubinstein's recording. Moravec is an exciting pianist. His playing is compelling, dynamic, and attentive to detail. This recording now ranks as my favorite collection of these favorite sonatas.

I have other favorites of the individual sonatas. Gilels still enthralls me in his 1965 Carnegie hall performance of the Moonlight sonata, and his DG recording of the Appasionata is outstanding. Steven Kovacevich performs the Pathetique with playing that is alternately incisive and delicate on his Great Pianist Series entry devoted to the Beethoven sonatas. Richter, Walter Klien, Richard Goode and Russell Sherman also give much pleasure in these. But, if you are looking for a single CD for these sonatas, this is the one I would turn to.

The most riveting performance of these works anywhere.......1999-06-09

There are a few pianists who play these warhorses faster or louder. But the searing intensity of these performances, a product of Moravec's unique musical vision and uncanny sonic wizardry, put them in a class of their own.

Indeed in his hands, these pieces are not warhorses, they are revelations. As one newgroup commentator put it, no matter how well you may already know them, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by the "terrible beauty" of the music on this recording.

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