Earl Wild - Beethoven

Editorial Reviews
Allmusic.com, August 1999
The D Major Sonata is the best performance on the disc, able to stand with the best in the catalogue.

American Record Guide, September/October 1999
The clarity of Wild’s fingerwork is a marvel. You should experience his dramatic, strongly individual reading of No.23.

Album Description
Beethoven's sonatas are milestones in piano literature. And when two masters meet in profound rapport — a composer second to none and a pianist whose temperament is so totally suited to the music — the results are a melding of reverence and passion. As the living dean of American pianists, Earl Wild has been performing Beethoven's music for 75 years. Mr. Wild is the kindred soul and perfect spokesman who divulges the musical secrets of the master. In Earl Wild's interpretations the sonatas abound in the vitality and irresistible urgency. This recital of major piano sonatas is made even more delectable with the inclusion of Franz Liszt exceptional piano transcription of Beethoven's First Symphony Op.21. This disc includes virtuoso music, full of emotion and energy - performed unforgettably!

Earl Wild - Beethoven

Album Description

Earl Wild at 88 (88 on the 88s). All newly recorded repertoire for Earl Wild. Perhaps one of the most important recordings ever produced. Truly superb performances of Mozart's Sonata K.332; Beethoven's 32 Variations on an original theme; the four Chopin Impromptus and the extremely difficult and rarely performed and recorded Balakirev piano sonata No.1. There has never been anything like Mr. Wild's arrangement of the MEXICAN HAT DANCE! Extraordinary 24/88.2 High Definition recording HDCD encoded. Spectacular sound using the new limited edition Shigeru Kawai EX Concert Grand piano.

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent Performances.......2004-05-06

Earl Wild has always been the embodiment of "bravura" pianism; that quality that so far exceeds the technical challenges of a piece that the music leaps off the page and becomes a living, breathing entity. In this disc, Wild at 88 shows his amazing powers are undiminished. The spectacular technique, the incomparable ability to shade any passage with infinite nuances are forever young.

In the Wild transcription of Marcello's Adagio, his rendering of the melody is heartbreakingly tender, simple and unforced. Too many pianists over the last twenty years have treated the Mozart F Major Sonata as a pretty-pretty roccoco salon piece. Wild here gives us a full-bodied treatment; the playing unhurried and fully realized. The Beethoven 32 Variations runs the gamut from ruminative and brooding one moment to savage and convulsive the next. Not having heard the Balakirev before, I'd have to call it a first rate performance of highly effective, but second-rate music. The A flat Impromptu of Chopin is performed with much red-blooded brio, although the playing in the latter part of the F# Major Impromptu becomes ultra careful. No matter. Wild's marvelous transcription of the Mexican Hat Dance is bound to keep many a conservatory student busy in despair over the next several years. Here, Wild is all over the keyboard, in grand style. The playing alternating between an explosive rhythmic propulsiveness and delicate, coy charm.

Tracks:

Track 1 - Allegro
Track 2 - Scherzo. Assai vivace - Presto - Prestissimo
Track 3 - Adagio e sostenuto
Track 4 - Largo; Fugue. Allegro risoluto
Track 5 - Allegro
Track 6 - Scherzo. Allegretto vivace
Track 7 - Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso
Track 8 - Presto con fuoco

Product Description

Earl Wild approaches the Beethoven Sonatas from the prespective of the orchestra - the same way Beethoven heard them. When Mr. Wild's Hammerklavier Sonata was first released over 10 years ago the reviews were unanimous - it was hailed as one of the finest performances of this Sonata ever recorded. It has now been expertly remastered with 24-bit sonics. Not to be missed.

Wof Trap Chamber Group - Live from Carnegie Hall 1979

Average customer rating:

Wof Trap Chamber Group - Live from Carnegie Hall 1979

Manufacturer: Ivory Classics CD-73003
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000AQO0B
Release Date: 2003-06-30

Beethoven: Hammerklavier, Moonlight, Pathetique Sonatas

Average customer rating:

Fantastic recorded piano music!
Fantastic recorded piano music!

Beethoven: Hammerklavier, Moonlight, Pathetique Sonatas

Manufacturer: Chesky Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003GE9
Release Date: 1994-10-31

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major Op. 106: I. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major Op. 106: II. Scherzo: Assai vivace
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major Op. 106: III Adagio e sostenuto
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major Op. 106: IV Largo; Fugue (Allegro Risoluto)
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13: I. Grave-Allegro di molto e con brio
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13: II Adagio cantabile
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13: III Rondo - Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor Op. 27, No. 2: I Adagio sostenuto
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor Op. 27, No. 2: II Allegretto And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor Op. 27, No. 2: III Presto agitato

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic recorded piano music!.......2002-01-11

Bravo Wild, Bravo Chesky!

Obviously this CD contains 3 greatest Beethoven's Sonatas, but what makes it so special is the virtuosity of Earl Wild that comes together with Chesky's highest level of audiophile recodring technique.

I have few No. 8,14,29 from other great pianists like Pollini, Kempff, Brendel and even Horowitz, IMHO Wild performance is unique and really up to top. He might not be as famous as others but it is just because he can't accept the recording quantity of major labels.

With this CD, the super natural recorded sound can ride you thru extreme aspects of the piano & I have feeling like having Wild at home to play my favourite music just for me.

If Chesky has a lot of money to spend on advertising as EMI, DG or Sony this CD might become a hottest sale already. You can't go wrong with this CD, especially if you have a good sound system.

Fantastic recorded piano music!.......2002-01-11

Bravo Wild, Bravo Chesky!

I have a few No. 8,14,29 from other great pianists like Pollini, Kempff, Brendel and even Horowitz, IMHO Wild performance is unique and really up to top. He might not be as famous as the others but it is just because he can't accept the recording quality of major labels.

With this CD, the super natural recorded sound can ride you thru extreme aspects of the piano & I have feeling like having Wild at home to play my favourite music just for me.

Tracks:

-4. Beethoven: Sonata No.7 in D Major Opus 10, No.3
-7. Beethoven: Sonata No.23 in F minor Op.57 (Appassionata)
-11. Beethoven/Liszt: Symphony No.1 in C Major Op.21

Album Description

Beethoven's sonatas are milestones in piano literature. And when two masters meet in profound rapport — a composer second to none and a pianist whose temperament is so totally suited to the music — the results are a melding of reverence and passion. As the living dean of American pianists, Earl Wild has been performing Beethoven's music for 75 years. Mr. Wild is the kindred soul and perfect spokesman who divulges the musical secrets of the master. In Earl Wild's interpretations the sonatas abound in the vitality and irresistible urgency. This recital of major piano sonatas is made even more delectable with the inclusion of Franz Liszt exceptional piano transcription of Beethoven's First Symphony Op.21. This disc includes virtuoso music, full of emotion and energy - performed unforgettably!

Average customer rating:

Reader's Digest Guide to Beethoven

ProductGroup: Classical
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000LQG0T8

Product Description

Ludwig van Beethoven 'Favorites from the Classics' Sym No 5 RPO/Leibowitz, Son No 14 in C sharp op 27 No 2 (first movement) (Earl Wild), Piano Concerto No 5(Rudolf Firkusny (p) w RPO/Kempe), Fur Elise(Daniel Blumenthal-p), Violin Concerto(Erich Gruenberg-v New Philharmonia/Horenstein), Romance for Violin and Orch N 2 in F op 50(Susanne Lautenbacher (v) w Badische Staatskapelle/Curt Cremer)

Earl Wild plays - Beethoven Sonatas Nos. 7 & 23 plus Beethoven /Liszt 1st Symphony

Average customer rating:

Earl Wild plays - Beethoven Sonatas Nos. 7 & 23 plus Beethoven /Liszt 1st Symphony

Manufacturer: Ivory Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000JCBJ
Release Date: 1999-06-15

Track Listings: