Ivan Moravec Plays Beethoven

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Concerto is one of the recordings that made Ivan Moravec's reputation as a great pianist. It's just as impressive-sounding today. Moravec and the excellent Martin Turnovsky seem to have given this great music an intense reexamination. They play it with attention to every detail, making it sound as though it were a new piece. Frequently you will hear details pointed out in illuminating ways, but never at the expense of musical continuity. This performance is a revelation. Although Moravec's conception of the Variations is a bit outsize, his playing of the solo works is equally convincing. The mid-60s recordings sound excellent. --Leslie Gerber

Amazon.com
Originally recorded by Connoisseur Society in the sixties, these are among the most arresting and individual Beethoven interpretations on disc. Ivan Moravec's stupendous technique enables him to achieve infinite nuance and articulation virtually without pedal. Yet his playing surges with passion, helped by his wide, dynamic range and masterly legato--essential ingredients in carrying out Beethoven's relentlessly contrasting textures. MartinTurnovsky elicits very precise and supremely... read more

Ivan Moravec Plays Beethoven

Tracks:

Sonata No.8 In C Minor 'Pathetique': Grave. Allegro Di Molto E Con Brio
Sonata No.8 In C Minor 'Pathetique': Adagio Cantabile
Sonata No.8 In C Minor 'Pathetique': Rondo. Allegro
Sonata No.13, 'Quasi Una Fantasia' In C Sharp Minor ('Moonlight'): Adagio Sostenuto
Sonata No.13, 'Quasi Una Fantasia' In C Sharp Minor ('Moonlight'): Allegretto (Attacca)
Sonata No.13, 'Quasi Una Fantasia' In C Sharp Minor ('Moonlight'): Presto Agitato
32 Variations On An Original Theme In C Minor
Sonata No. 27 In E Minor: Mit Lebhaftigkeit Und Durchaus Mit Empfindung Und Ausdruck
Sonata No. 27 In E Minor: Nicht Zu Geschwind Und Sehr Singbar Vorzutragen
Sonata No.26 In E Flat Major 'Les Adieux': Das Lebewohl, Adagio - Allegro
Sonata No.26 In E Flat Major 'Les Adieux': Abwesenheit. Andante Espressivo
Sonata No.26 In E Flat Major 'Les Adieux': Das Wiedersehen. Vivacissimamente

Customer Reviews:

Utterly Convincing Beethoven.......2006-03-29

Moravec draws you intimately inside the veil with impeccable technique, a broad range of coloration, intelligently wrought tempi, the best voicing I have ever heard, and a good sense of style that seems to fit Beethoven snugly. I love this man's playing. This gentleman possesses virtuosity without pretension. This is the true art of music making.

Sensitive Performance.......2005-08-02

I heard one of these sonatas at a recital and asked the pianist to recommend a recording. He recommended Ivan Moravec, saying he wasn't very well known in the states, but did the best performance of this work. Boy was he right. Graceful, sensitive, expressive - I've never heard the piano sound so human. He also said that Ivan Moravec's Chopin Nocturnes are wonderful too - that will be my next purchase.

Oops!.......2002-08-24

I intended to review the "Moravec plays Beethoven, vol. 2" CD that includes the Moonlight, Pathetique, Appassionata and Les Adieux sonatas, but instead I placed my comments under this CD.

I was unable to erase the review, so I'll use this opportunity to point you to the other Moravec CD which contains some of the same music as this CD. The recording of Op.90 found on this CD can be found, along with fourth piano concerto, on "Moravec plays Beethoven, vol. 1".

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.

Tracks:

Pno Con No.4 In G, Op.58: Allegro moderato
Pno Con No.4 In G, Op.58: Andante con moto
Pno Con No.4 In G, Op.58: Rondo (Vivace)
Pno Son In e,Op.90: Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfinung und Ausdruck
Pno Son In e,Op.90: Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorzutregen
32 Var On An Original Theme In c

Amazon.com

The Concerto is one of the recordings that made Ivan Moravec's reputation as a great pianist. It's just as impressive-sounding today. Moravec and the excellent Martin Turnovsky seem to have given this great music an intense reexamination. They play it with attention to every detail, making it sound as though it were a new piece. Frequently you will hear details pointed out in illuminating ways, but never at the expense of musical continuity. This performance is a revelation. Although Moravec's conception of the Variations is a bit outsize, his playing of the solo works is equally convincing. The mid-60s recordings sound excellent. --Leslie Gerber

Amazon.com

Originally recorded by Connoisseur Society in the sixties, these are among the most arresting and individual Beethoven interpretations on disc. Ivan Moravec's stupendous technique enables him to achieve infinite nuance and articulation virtually without pedal. Yet his playing surges with passion, helped by his wide, dynamic range and masterly legato--essential ingredients in carrying out Beethoven's relentlessly contrasting textures. MartinTurnovsky elicits very precise and supremely detailed playing from his Viennese band. In the concerto, Moravec opts for the less familiar cadenza played by Brendel, Gieseking, and Gilels. A release to be cherished. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

sublime, transporting and enlightened!! :D.......2003-08-10

No matter what Mr Moravec plays, he is simply astonishing - but the 4th concerto is simply to die for. From the famously impossible and elusive first chord, the balancing and color is exquisite. he continues with the often-dryly-played opening using various degrees of the tre corde, masterfully blending the colors and preparing for the orchestra's awesome "common-tone" modulation. needless to say, his second movement is unparelled; he collaborates WITH the orchestra in order to convey the ageless saga of "The Man (solo piano) vs. the World (orch.)". The third movement is a triumphant jubilation, but he manages to play it with elegance (unlike many of the other comercially recorded artists, who exaggerate the Forte markings and running notes passages to the point where it begins to get vulgar.) although this piece requires a highly sophisticated degree of digital agility, he never exploits these opportunities, and is faithful to the effects the composer is trying to convey through his markings; he truly a "virtuoso" in the original sense.

Great Beethoven concerto.......2003-02-09

I'm amazed no one else at Amazon has reviewed this wonderful recording. Moravec's performance of Beethoven's fourth concerto is simply one of the best. I have owned the Connoisseur Society's LP version for many years. It's a record I truly cherish. Moravec's playing is outstanding. His interpretation of the fourth concerto has both beauty and spiritual depth. This is a recording you will not forget.

Ivan Moravec Plays Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms

Average customer rating:

Ivan Moravec Plays Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003LKP
Release Date: 1997-03-12

Tracks:

Fantasia In C Minor, K. 475
Sonata No. 14 In C Minor, K. 457: Molto Allegro
Sonata No. 14 In C Minor, K. 457: Adagio
Sonata No. 14 In C Minor, K. 457: Allegro assai
Sonta No. 16 In B - Flat, K. 570: Allegro
Sonta No. 16 In B - Flat, K. 570: Adagio
Sonta No. 16 In B - Flat, K. 570: Allegretto
Intermezzo In B - Flat Minor, Op. 117, No. 2
Intermezzo In A, Op. 118, No. 2
Fse
Bagatelle In A, Op. 33, No. 4

Amazon.com

Mozart doesn't seem to be Ivan Moravec's best composer. His performances of these pieces are superbly played and thoroughly convincing, but they are written rather large on the page. The dynamics and contrasts often seem a bit exaggerated for Mozart. This playing will appeal mostly to those who find most modern Mozart performances too timid. The fillers on this disc are less controversial: two exquisitely played Brahms Intermezzi and two Beethoven Bagatelles, including a charming "Für Elise." Not the most compelling item in this series of Moravec reissues, but many will treasure it just for its best moments and the still-impressive sound. --Leslie Gerber

Track Listings:

Track Listings

I Left My Blues in San Francisco

Camp Songs

Sold Out (The American Way)

Hip Hop Blues

Hollywood Stars of the Silver Screen [Import]

Handel - Messiah / Schlick, Piau, Scholl, Padmore, Berg, Les Arts Florissants, Christie

Inhabit My Heart (Back Issue Series)

Jazz Music: 1951-53, Vol. 7: Silhouette

Hey Jupiter [EP]

Homenaje (Canta Kelman Nunez)

Derroche [Import]

Treasures Money Can't Buy

Mirage a Trois