Beethoven: Diabelli Variations; Piano Sonata "Waldstein"

1. Variations for piano in C major on a waltz by Diabelli ("Diabelli Variations"), Op. 120
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Daniel Varsano

2. Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major ("Waldstein") Op. 53
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Hiroko Nakamura , Daniel Varsano

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 1 Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 2. Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: 4. Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 2. Largo appassionato
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 3. Scherzo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A, Op. 2 No. 2: 4. Rondo. Grazioso
Piano Sonata No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: 1. Allegro molto e con brio
Piano Sonata No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: 2. Adagio molto
Piano Sonata No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: 3. Finale. Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 19 In G Minor, Op. 49 No. 1: 1. Andante
Piano Sonata No. 19 In G Minor, Op. 49 No. 1: 2. Rondo. Allegro

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 2. Adagio
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 3. Scherzo. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 4. Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: 1. Allegro molto e con brio
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: 2. Largo, con gran espressione
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: 3. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: 4. Rondo. Poco allegretto e grazioso
6 Piano Veriations In F On An Original Theme, Op.34

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: 2. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: 3. Presto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: 1. Presto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: 2. Largo e mesto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: 3. Menuetto. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: 4. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': 1. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': 2. Adagio cantabile
Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': 3. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.2: 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.2: 2. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.2: 3. Rondo. Allegro comodo

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: 2. Andante
Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: 3. Scherzo. Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Falt, Op.22: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Falt, Op.22: 2. Adagio con molta espressione
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Falt, Op.22: 3. Minuetto
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Falt, Op.22: 4. Rondo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: 1. Andante con Variazioni
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: 2. Scherzo. Allegro molto
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: 3. Marcia Funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: 4. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: 1. Presto alla tedesca
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: 2. Andante
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: 3. Vivace

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1: 1. Andante - Allegro - Tempo I
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1: 2. Allegro molto e vivace
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1: 3. Adagio con espressione
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1: 4. Allegro vivace - Tempo I - Presto
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': 1. Adagio sostenuto
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': 2. Allegrettro
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': 3. Presto agitato
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': 2. Andante
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': 4. Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No. 22 In F, Op.54: 1. In Tempo d'un Menuetto
Piano Sonata No. 22 In F, Op.54: 2. Allegretto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: 2. Adagio grazioso
Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: 3. Rondo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'Tempest': 1. Largo - Allegro
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'Tempest': 2. Adagio
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'Tempest': 3. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 2. Scherzo. Alllegretto vivace
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 3. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 4. Presto con fuoco

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.21 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No.21 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': 2. Introduzione. Adagio molto - Rondo. Allegretto moderato - Prestissimo
15 Piano Variations And Fugue In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica' Variations: Inroduzione col Basso del Tema. Allegretto vivace
15 Piano Variations And Fugue In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica' Variations: Variazioni I-XV
15 Piano Variations And Fugue In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica' Variations: Finale. Alla Fuga. Allegro con brio - Andante con moto
32 Piano Variations In C Minor On An Original Theme, WoO 80
Rondo In G, Op.51 No.2

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': 1. Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': 2. Andante con moto
Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': 3. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 1. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 2. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 1. Das Lebewohl. Adagio - Allegro
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 2. Abwesenheit. Andante espressivo
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 3. Das Wiedersehn. Vivacissimamente
Piano Sonata No.27 In E Minor, Op.90: 1. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
Piano Sonata No.27 In E Minor, Op.90: 2. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen
Piano Sonata No.20 In G, Op.49 No.2: 1. Allegro, ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.20 In G, Op.49 No.2: 2. Tempo di Menuetto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: 1. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto, ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: 2. Lebhaft. Marschmassig. Vivace alla Marcia
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: 3. Langsam, und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: 4. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 1. Allegro
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 2 Scherzo. Assai vivace - Presto - Prestissimo - Tempo I
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 3. Adagio sostenuto. Appassionato e con molto sentimento
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 4. Largo - Allegro risoluto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: 1. Vivave, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo - Tempo I -2. Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: 3. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung. Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo
Piano Sonata No.31 In A Flat, Op.110: 1. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
Piano Sonata No.31 In A Flat, Op.110: 2. Allegro molto
Piano Sonata No.31 In A Flat, Op.110: 3. Adagio ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.31 In A Flat, Op.110: 4. Fuga. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No.32 In C Minor, Op111: 1. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato
Piano Sonata No.32 In C Minor, Op111: 2. Arietta. Adagio molto semplice e cantabile

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.1 In C, Op. 15: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No.1 In C, Op. 15: 2. Largo
Piano Concerto No.1 In C, Op. 15: 3. Rondo. Allegro scherzando
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.19: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.19: 2. Adagio
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.19: 3. Rondo. Molto allegro

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37: 1. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37: 2. Largo
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37: 3. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 1. Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 2. Andante con moto
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 3. Rondo. Vivace

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 2. Adagio un poco mosso
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 3. Rondo. Allegro
Triple Concerto For Piano, Violin And Cello In C, Op.56: 1. Allegro
Triple Concerto For Piano, Violin And Cello In C, Op.56: 2. Largo
Triple Concerto For Piano, Violin And Cello In C, Op.56: 3. Rondo alla Polacca

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Claudio Arrau played with seriousness of purpose that could make other pianists seem like dilettantes and with respect for the composer's score that bordered on veneration. He had nothing but scorn for pianists who played the opening of Beethoven's Opus 111 with two hands instead of one because there were fewer risks. If something was technically difficult, Arrau assumed that the composer had written it that way because the difficulties had an expressive value that it was the interpreter's duty to find.

Arrau's devotion to Beethoven is memorialized by this budget-priced, 14-CD collection of his recordings, mostly from the 1960s, of the composer's 32 sonatas, five concertos (with Bernard Haitink conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam), and most important sets of variations. His Beethoven is not always successful. His sometimes ponderous seriousness keeps early works, such as the Sonata No. 3 and the Concerto No. 2, from smiling, and his lack of spontaneity makes the whimsy in Sonata No. 26 and the "Diabelli Variations" sound labored. But in the composer's weightiest works, Arrau can produce revelations. Certainly, no one plays Sonata No. 32 better. The first movement sounds like thunder that comes ever closer and the finale's chains of trills, played with exquisite finish and expressive perfection, transport the listener to a higher realm. If Arrau could be single-minded in his devotion to the composer's score, he also believed that music could encompass everything. When Arrau was at his best--as he frequently is in this set--it does. --Stephen Wigler

Customer Reviews:

The one collection I cannot imagine being without.......2007-01-30

It would be absurd to recommend recommending one Beethoven cycle to the exclusion of all others, yet it is Arrau's cycle to which I repeatedly return, despite some flaws mentioned by other reviewers.

They are flaws which can be forgiven. Scherzi which would be brimming with mirth & vitality in the hands of others may come up short, but it is more than compensated for by the revelations to be found as Arrau explores every aspect of Beethoven at his most profound. There always seems to be something new to be discovered. Flabby? It is hard to imagine how someone could come to this conclusion.

Even the sound quality for recordings dating back into the 1960's has been remastered so as to be acceptable to all but the most spoiled of listeners, who apparently are satisfied only with the most seamless homogenized studio sound. Those who can't get past the slightly imperfect sound quality are focusing on the wrong details.

If the greatness of the performance were not enough, the price should be enough to convince any serious music lover to add these to a CD collection. One cannot overstate how rewarding this collection will be to anyone who does not yet know the artistry of Arrau.

MASTERY.......2007-01-26

One man's viewpoint: Arrau amazes me as he sets the notes down with such clean deliberation! Total command. No matter how fast Beethoven is charging along. And as Arrau gets every note, we find the real Beethoven genius shining through - after all, as raw material, this is some of the finest piano music anywhere. Of course, this playing delivers passion and heart-and-soul communication too. And a sense of commitment and strength.
I suggest this set - with about nine stars! Mastery in art. *** For a lighter, more joyful touch - and great tone - ALSO get hold of O'Conor's set of the 32. I suggest this set - with about nine stars!

Magisterial... mystical.......2006-11-03

I've been listening to Beethoven's sonatas for fifty years and have heard all of them by some, and some of them by all the available recorded performers. Overall, Claudio Arrau is my favorite interpreter of the sonatas. To me he has an inner affinity with Beethoven that is uncanny. Beethoven was a man of great character. And that greatness, detached from his person in the form of musical ideas, enters the listener through intermediaries such as Arrau. When it is done right, it works a sort of righteous therapy, and makes the listener a better person for the hearing.

Arrau describes Beethoven's greatness in his essay "Thoughts on Beethoven" in the 33 1/3 Philips LP edition. "Beethoven has always stood for the spirit of man victorious. His message of endless stuggle concluding in the victory of renewal and spiritual rebirth...his life was an existential fight for survival...In the sense that he mastered both his life and his art to reach the ultimate heights of creation and transfiguration, he will last as long as man's spirit to prevail lasts on this earth." Part of the greatness of Beethoven's character came from his ability to be intimately close and at the same time at an infinite distance above his listener. Arrau possesses this same character, and his qualities as a man and artist are why he is able to so aptly render the greatness of Beethoven.

A book titled "Conversations with Arrau" was written by Joseph Horowitz to celebrate the artists's 80th birthday in 1982. I've only read the extracts published with the Philips edition, but there is enough information to get a feel for Arrau's character. He guarded the purity of his environment. He shunned parties and avoided small talk. He never drank or smoked, never learned to drive a car, boil an egg, or even operate a phonograph. His only hobby was gardening. Horowitz describes him as the embodiment of the nineteenth-century model of the artist as solitary, suffering hero. He was small (5'6") and frail, but in 1982 at age 80 he was still playing more that 70 concerts a season.

Rather than launch a discussion of his individual works (this has been done admirably by many of the reviewers) I will remark on just a few. I never properly appreciated the Fourth and the Seventh Sonatas until I heard Arrau's reading of these works. His Fourth takes 31 minutes, 30 seconds. Annie Fischer, another great interpreter of Beethoven, plays it in 27 minutes, 30 seconds. And Ms. Fischer does not play at a hurried tempo.

Yes, Arrau plays the sonatas at a slower tempo than any other interpreter. He also achieves a mystical quality in his interpretations that is unmatched. The second movement of the Seventh comes in at 10 min, 30 seconds. It is the greatest 10 1/2 minutes of piano music ever conceived. When interpreted by Arrau it becomes a microcosm of Beethoven's life and work. The second movement of the Appassionata is a sacred hymn.

Arrau's five piano concertos are splendid. I've heard no other renditions of the concertos with slow movements that equal Arrau's. No one plays the middle movements with his expressiveness and sense of the numinous. And his rendition of the "Eroica Variations" is on a par with the top few recordings of this piece.

If you have any interest in Beethoven, at whatever level, this bargain is outstanding.

Beethoven + Arrau = Divinity.......2006-10-29

If you love Beethoven, Arrau's interpretation will certainly be a joyful addition to your classical music collection. For me, his is the definitive Beethoven.

Though some will likely disagree, I have listened to many other great pianists' recordings of Beethoven sonatas, and they are great (don't get me wrong). Yet Arrau is unique in his ability to bring to light subtleties in the melodies that no one else can, and these often turn out to be the most enlightening and resonant of passages. His Op. 111 is indeed unparalleled, and his recording of the 2nd movement is one of my favorite pieces in the world. On top of that, his rendition of the Moonlight Sonata, his Waldstein, his Concertos, every recording on this boxed set is a testament to the depth Arrau worked diligently and consciously to achieve; depth that transcends technical showmanship and for the intuitive listener can certainly elicit fleeting glimpses of divine ecstasy.

At any price, it's a steal - beauty of this magnitude is all too rare.

Beethoven himself would be proud........2006-06-19

This is a masterpiece. Don't listen to the one negative review, as this guy is tone deaf. This compilation of Beethoven's music is a treasure to behold. A bargain at twice the price, this is well worth the money. Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

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Get anything Grigory Sokolov recorded

Grigory Sokolov (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Opus 111
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Chopin: 24 Preludes
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ASIN: B0000CE7E6
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Customer Reviews:

Get anything Grigory Sokolov recorded .......2006-07-29

Grigory Sokolov is definitely one of the most underrated pianist for the past few decades, and I truly believe he is the best still around.

Currently there are two CD boxes( each contains 5 CDs)and one DVD (Live in Paris) available in the market. This is one of the CD set.

CD1: Beethoven Diabelli Variations;
CD2 & CD3: Schubert D894, D960;
CD4: Chopin Sonata No 2 and Etude op25 ;
CD5: Scriabin Sonata No 3&9,Prokofiev Sonata No 8 and Rachmaninov Prelude op23 No 4.

Because of his reclusive personality and unwilling to record (perhaps due to perfectionism) , he never had contract with major labels and therefore lots of people were not aware of him. However, the one single DVD is good enough to do him justice--you have to see it to believe it.

He is one of the best classic pianists ever, along with Gilels, Richter, etc----definitely the best still around. If you have notheard of Solokov, get both CD sets and DVD--that will be the best investment for your classic music collection and years of enjoyment. And if one of us get lucky, we might still be able to see him one stage one day.

Complete Beethoven Edition Vol. 6 - Piano Works / Demus, Alder, Gilels, Mustonen, Kempff, Barenboim

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A good deal to enjoy
Jazzy Ludwig!

Complete Beethoven Edition Vol. 6 - Piano Works / Demus, Alder, Gilels, Mustonen, Kempff, Barenboim
Ludwig van Beethoven , Jörg Demus , Emil Gilels , Olli Mustonen , Christopher Alder , Daniel Barenboim , and Wilhelm Kempff
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000001GZ9
Release Date: 1997-11-25

Tracks:

7 Bagatelles, Op.33: No. 1 In E Flat Major - Andante grazioso quasi Allegretto
7 Bagatelles, Op.33: No.2 In C Major - Scherzo. Allegro
7 Bagatelles, Op.33: No.3 In F Major - Allegretto
7 Bagatelles, Op.33: No.4 In D Major - Andante
7 Bagatelles, Op.33: No.5 In C Major - Allegro ma non troppo
7 Bagatelles, Op.33: No.6 In D Major - Allegretto quasi andante
7 Bagatelles, Op.33: No.7 In A Flat Major - Presto
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.1 In B Flat Major - Allegretto
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.2 In C Major - Andante con moto
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.3 In D - a l'Allemande
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.4 In A Major - Andante cantabile
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.5 In C Minor - Risoluto
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.6 In G Major - Andante - Allegretto
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.7 In C Major - Allegro ma non troppo
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.8 In C - Moderato
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.9 In A Minor - Vivace moderato
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.10 In A Major - Allegramente
11 Bagatelles, Op.119: No.11 In B Flat Major - Andante ma non troppo
Bagatelle in C Minor: Presto
Bagatelle In C Major: Allegretto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: No.1 In G Major - Andante con moto cantabile e compiacevole
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: No. 2 In G Minor - Allegro
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: No.3 In In E Flat Major - Andante cantabile e grazioso
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: No.4 In D Major - Presto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: No.5 In G Major - Quasi Allegretto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: No.6 In E Flat Major - Presto - Andante amabile e con moto - Tempo I
Bagatelle 'Fur Elise' In A Minor: Poco moto

Tracks:

3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 1 In E Flat Major: 1. Allegro cantibile
3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 1 In E Flat Major: 2. Andante
3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 1 In E Flat Major: 3. Rondo vivace
3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 2 In F Minor: 1. Larghetto maestoso - Allegro assai
3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 2 In F Minor: 2. Andante
3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 2 In F Minor: 3. Presto
3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 3 In D Major: 1. Allegro
3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 3 In D Major: 2. Menuetto. Sostenuto - Var. I-VI
3 Sonatas For Piano ('Electoral' Sonatas): No. 3 In D Major: 3. Scherzando. Allegro, ma non troppo
2 Sonata Movments In F Major: 1. Without Tempo Indication
2 Sonata Movments In F Major: 2. Allegretto
Piano Sonata In C Major: Allegro
Piano Sonata In C Major: Adagio
Allegretto In C Minor
'Lustig - Traurig' In C Major
Prelude In F Minor
Piano Piece In B Flat Major
Allegretto In B Minor
Allegretto quasi andante In G Minor
Allemande In A Major
Minuet In E Flat Major
Waltz In E Flat Major
Waltz In D Major
Ecossaise In E Flat Major
Fugue In C Major
Allegretto In C Minor

Tracks:

Rondo In C Major, Op. 51: Moderato e grazioso - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Rondo In G Major, Op. 51 No. 2: Andante cantabile e grazioso - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Rondo In C Major: Allegretto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Rondo In A Major: Allegretto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Polonaise In C Major: Alla polacca, vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
9 Variations (In C Minor) On A March By Ernst Christoph Dressler: Thema. Maestoso - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6 Variations On A Swiss Song In F Major: Thema. Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Thema. Allegretto - Var. I-XIII - Var. XIV. Allegretto - Adagio - Var. XV-XIX - Var. XX. Scherznado - Var. XXI-XXII - Var. XXIII. Adagio sostenuto - Var. XXIV. Allegro - Allegro stringendo - Presto assai - Ludwig Van Beethoven
12 Variations (In C Major) On The 'Menuett a la Vigano' From Jakob Haibel's Ballet 'Le nozze disturbate': Thema. Allegretto - Var. I-IX - Var. XII. Allegro - Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6 Variations (In G Major) On The Duet 'Nel cor piu non mi sento' From Giovanni Paisello's Opera 'La molinara': Thema. (Andantino) - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

Fantasia In G Minor: Allegro - Poco adagio - allegro ma non troppo - Allegro con brio - Adagio - Presto - Adagio - Allegretto - Adagio
6 Variations (In D Major) On An Original Theme: Thema. Allegro risoluto - Var. I-V - Var. VI. Presto - Tempo I
Thema. Allegretto - Var. I-II - VarIII. Commodetto - Var. IV - Var. V. Risoluto - Arioso. Andante con moto - Var. VI. Espressivo - Var. VII. Allegro no nmolto - Var. VIII. Tempo I - Var. IX. Allegro
8 Variations (In C Major) On The Romance 'Une fievre brulante' From Gretry's Opera 'Richard Coeur de Lion': Thema. Allegretto - Var. I-VII - Var. VIII. Allegro - Presto
10 Variations (In B Flat Major) On The Duet 'La stessa, la stessissima' From Antonio Salieri's Opera 'Falstaff': Thema. Andante con moto - Var. I-IX - Var. X. Allegretto (alla Austriaca) - Tempo I
7 Variations (In F Major) On The Quartet 'Kind, willst du ruhig schlafen?' From Peter Winter's Opera 'Das unterbrochene Opferfest': Thema. Allegretto - Var. I-VI - Var. VII. Allegro - Allegro molto
8 Variations (In F Major) On The Trio 'Tandeln und Scherzen' From Franz X. Sussmayrs Opera 'Soliman II': Thema. Andante, quasi Allegretto - Var. I-VI - Var. VII. Adagio molto ed espressivo - Var. VIII. Allegro vivace - Adagio
6 Easy Variations (In G Major) On An Original Theme: Thema. Andante, quasi Allegretto - Var. I-VI

Tracks:

6 Variations (In F Major) On An Original Theme: Thema. Adagio. Cantabile
6 Variations (In F Major) On An Original Theme: Var. I
6 Variations (In F Major) On An Original Theme: Var. II - Allegro ma non troppo
6 Variations (In F Major) On An Original Theme: Var. III - Allegretto
6 Variations (In F Major) On An Original Theme: Var. IV - Tempo di Menuetto
6 Variations (In F Major) On An Original Theme: Var. V - Marcia. Allegretto
6 Variations (In F Major) On An Original Theme: Var. VI - Allegretto. Adagio molto
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Introduzione col Basso del Tema. Allegretto vivace
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Tema
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. I
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. II
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. III
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. IV
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. V
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. VI
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. VII - Canone all'ottava
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. VIII
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. IX
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. X
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. XI
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. XII
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. XIII
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. XIV
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Var. XV - Largo
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Coda
15 Variations And A Fugue (In E Flat Major) On An Original Theme ('Eroica' Variations): Finale. Alla Fuga. Allegro con brio - Andante con moto
9 Variations (IN A Major) On The Aria 'Quant'e piu bello' From Giovanni Paisiello's Opera 'La molinara': Allegretto
12 Variations (In A Major) On A Russian Dance From Paul Wranitzky's Ballet 'Das Waldmadchen': Allegretto
7 Variations (In C Major) On 'God Save The King': Thema - Var. I-V - Var. VI. Allegro. Alla Marcia - Var. VII. (Allegro) - Adagio - Allegro
5 Variations (In D Major) On 'Rule, Britannia' From Thomas Arne's Masque 'Alfred': Thema. Tempo moderato
32 Variations (In C Minor) On An Original Theme: Thema. Allegretto
6 Ecossaises In E Flat Major

Tracks:

33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Thema.Vivace
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. I - Alla Marcia maestoso
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. II - Poco Allegro
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. III. - L'istesso tempo
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. IV. - Un poco piu vivace
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. V. - Allegro vivace
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var.VI-Allegro ma non troppo
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. VII - Un poco piu allegro
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. VIII - Poco vivace
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. IX - Allegro pesante e risoluto
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. X - Presto
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XI - Allegretto
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XII - Un poco piu moto
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XIII - Vivace
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XIV - Grave e maestoso
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XV - Presto scherzando
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XVI - Allegro
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XVII
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XVIII - Poco moderato
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XIX - Presto
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XX - Andante
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXI - Allengro con brio
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXII - Allegro molto
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXIII - Allegro assai
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXIV - Fughetta. Andante
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXV - Allegro
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXVI
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXVII - Vivace
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXVIII - Allegro
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXIX - Adagio ma non troppo
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXX - Andante, sempre cantabile
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXXI - Largo, molto espressivo
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXXII - Fuga.Allegro - Poco adagio
33 Variations (In C Major) On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Var. XXXIII - Tempo di Menuetto moderato

Tracks:

Andante In F Major - 'Andante favori: Andante grazioso con moto
6 Minuets: 6 Minuets - No. 1 In C Major; No. 2 In G Major; No. 3 In E Flat Major; No. 4 In B Flat Major; No. 5 in D Major; No. 6 In C Major
7 Landler In D Major
12 German Dances: No. 1 In D Major; No. 2 In B Flat Major; No. 3 In G Major; No. 4 In D Major; No. 5 in F Major; No. 6 In B Flat Major; No. 7 In D Major; No. 8 In G Major; No. 9 In E Flat Major; No. 10 In C Major; No. 11 In A Major; No. 12 In D Major
'The Rage Over The Lost Penny' In G Major: Allegro vivace
Canon A 2 In G Major, Hess 274
Canon A 2 In A Flat Major, Hess 275
8 Variations (In C Major) On A Theme By Count Waldstein: Thema. Andante con moto - Var. I-VII. Un poco Adagio - Capriccio - Allegro - Adagio - Allegro - Adagio - Allegretto - Allegro - Presto
6 Variations (In D Major) On The Lied 'Ich denke dein': Lied. Andantino cantabile

Tracks:

Sonata In D Major, Op. 6: 1. Allegro molto
Sonata In D Major, Op. 6: 2. Rondo. Moderato
3 Marches, op.45: No.1 In C Major - Allegro ma non troppo
3 Marches, op.45: No. 2 in E Flat Major - Vivace
3 Marches, op.45: No. 3 In C Major - Vivace
'Grosse Fuge' In B Flat Major, Op. 134: Overtura. Allegro - Meno mosso e moderato - Allegro - Fuga. (Allegro) - Meno mosso e moderato - Allegro (molto e con brio)
2 Preludes Through All Twelve Major Keys For Piano Or Organ: No. 1
2 Preludes Through All Twelve Major Keys For Piano Or Organ: No. 2
Fugue In D Major For Organ
5 Pieces For Mechanical Clock: No. 1 In F Major - Adagio assai
5 Pieces For Mechanical Clock: No. 2 In G Major - Scherzo. Allegro
5 Pieces For Mechanical Clock: No. 3 In G Major - Allegro
5 Pieces For Mechanical Clock: No. 4 In C Major - Allegro non piu molto
5 Pieces For Mechanical Clock: No. 5 In C Major - Menuett. Allegretto
Grenadier March For Mechanical Clock In F Major, Hess 107

Customer Reviews:

A good deal to enjoy.......2006-04-15

Though Beethoven could play the violin he was not a virtuoso on the instrument. The piano, on the other hand, was changed as an instrument by him. He was always on a quest for more sonorous and richer sounds and piano makers did their best to oblige. Many of Beethoven's avant guarde ideas about composition and the role of music in self expression started as piano sonatas and piano works. With this in mind, Beethovens compositions for the piano are some of the most outstanding, brilliant, and technically pure works to emerge from any composer. It is impossible not to feel the emotions Beethoven wishes to convey from piece to piece.

The piano sonatas are really self contained dramas. In them, you will hear the expressions of sadness, beauty, rage, and unbounded joy. It is impossible to listen to this collection and not find pleasure in it. The recordings as well as the performers are top-notch. Highly recommended.

Jazzy Ludwig!.......2005-02-17

An excellent set featuring Ludwig van's sets of variations wherein he gets jazzy and swings on catchy tunes! Highly recommended.

NOTE: For those of you who don't understand metaphor: what I'm saying here is that Beethoven used popular operatic hit-tunes of his day and improvised variations on those tunes--as is done in America's original art-form--Jazz. Get it?

Average customer rating:

Stephen Kovacevich Plays Beethoven

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs 2005/06 Edition: The Key Classical Recordings on CD, DVD and SACD, 30th Anniversary Edition (Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and Dvds)
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Schubert: The Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B000654OV0
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, celebratory collection

50 Years of Vox

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000001K6U
Release Date: 1995-10-24

Tracks:

Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D.417: 'Tragic'
Caprice No. 20 In D Major for Violin And Piano, Op.1
Donizetti's Opera: 'Lucia di Lammermoor'
Lyric Pieces, Op. 54: Nocturne
Symphony No. 29 In A Major, K.201: Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 19 In F Major, K.459: Allegro
Fireflies
Hornpipe
Violin Concerto in D Major: Capriccio
Diabelli Variations Nos. 6,7,9,10
Nocturne In A-flat Major, Op.32 No.2
Piano Sonata No. 12 In F Major, K.332: Adagio
Clarinet Sonata No. 2 In E Flat Major Op.120: Allegro appassionato
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6
Mephisto Waltz

Tracks:

La Cenerentola
Royal Fireworks: Overture
2-Piano Concerto In E Flat Major, K.365: Allegro
Mass In B Minor, BWV 232: Dona Nobis Pacem
Night on Bald Mountain
Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, Op.19: 'Midsommarvaka'
Norwegian Dance Op.35, No. 1
Holiday Symphony: Fourth Of July
Sinfonia India

Tracks:

Two Studies for Doktor Faust: Cortege
Etude No. 7 In E Minor
Flute Suite No. 2 In B Minor
Piano Sonata No. 21 In C Major, Op.53: 'Waldstein'
Variations serieuses, Op.54
Trio No. 1 In B Major, Op.8: Allegro
Sonata For Trumpet And Piano
Angels
Violin Concerto No.2, Op.22
Mazurka No. 7, Op.3
Piece en forme de Habanera
Estampes (Jardins sous la pluie)
Organ Toccata in F Major
Water Music: Suite In D
The Thunderer March

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, celebratory collection.......2003-09-27

Amazon currently sells this as a sealed cutout for an incredible $4.97 in the used CD section, under this code:
Label: Scde
ASIN: B00005MJTD

As many of the old Vox single CDs & boxes disappear or are reshuffled into deceptively "premium" packaging, this wonderful, celebratory collection remembers the glory years with a wide-ranging selection of great music, from the post-war mono recordings that, among other achievements, resuscitated Otto Klemperer's career & sent him on to settle some old scores, to pristine sessions from the Eighties engineered by the team of Marc Aubert & Joanna Nickrenz. Along the way there are some delightful surprises; pianists Novaes, Philipp, Haebler; Alfgren's lovely "Swedish Rhapsody" superbly played by the Baltimore Symphony as something more than a light classic; the under-rated Donald Johannos & Dallas Orchestra challenging Lenny Bernstein in 1967, the height of the Charles Ives revival, with a remarkable "Fourth of July;" Ravel's "Habanera" performed by violinist Elmar Oliveira. Included is a colorful 40 page booklet, written by frequent Vox liner note contributor, Richard Freed, outlining the Vox history with special attention to its visionary founder, George H. de Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (a collateral descendent of Felix & Fanny). My set also came with a "complete listing" insert of Vox Boxes, so many of which have been discontinued since 1995. One could only wish for a fourth CD devoted to the avant garde music Vox issued on the Turnabout & Candide labels, proudly mentioned in the booklet, but alas, tapes apparently buried in a secret vault somewhere.

Tracks:

I. Allegro Affettuoso
II. Intermezzo: Andantino Grazioso
III. Allegro Vivace
Thema: Andante
Etude I (Variation I): Un Poco Piu Vivo
Etude II (Var. II)
Etude III: Vivace
Etude IV (Var. III)
Etude V (Var. IV): Vivacissimo
Etude Vi (Var. V): Agitato
Variation II Posth.
Etude VII (Var. VI): Allegro Molto
Etude VIII (Var. VII): Andante
Variation V Posth.
Etude IX: Presto Possibile
Etude X (Var.VIII): Allegro
Etude XI (Var. IX): Con Espressione
Finale: Etude XII: Allegro Brillante
Symphonic Variations For Piano And Orchestra
Allegretto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Allegro Appassionato
III. Andante-Piu Adagio
IV. Allegretto Grazioso-Un Poco Piu Presto
Adagio Molto
Poco Allegretto
Vivace

Tracks:

Thema: Vivace
Var. I: Alla Marcia Maestoso
Var. II: Poco Allegro
Var. III: L'Istesso Tempo
Var. IV: Un Poco Piu Vivace
Var. V: Allegro Vivace
Var. VI: Allegro Ma Non Troppo E Serioso
Var. VII: Un Poco Piu Allegro
Var. VIII: Poco Vivace
Var. IX: Allegro Pesante E Risoluto
Var. X: Presto
Var. XI: Allegretto
Var. XII: Un Poco Piu Moto
Var. XIII: Vivace
Var. XIV: Grave E Maestoso
Var. XV: Presto Scherzando
Var. XVI: Allegro
Var. XVII
Var. XVIII: Poco Moderato
Var. XIX: Presto
Var. XX: Andante
Var. XXI: Allegro Con Brio-Meno Allegro-Tempo I
Var. XXII: Allegro Molto (Alla 'Notte E Giorno Faticar' Di Mozart)
Var. XXIII: Allegro Assai
Var. XXIV: Fughetta: Andante
Var. XXV: Allegro
Var. XXVI
Var. XXVII: Vivace
Var. XXVIII: Allegro
Var. XXIX: Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Var. XXX: Andante, Sempre Cantabile
Var.XXXI: Largo, Molto Espressivo
Var. XXXII: Fuga: Allegro-Poco Adagio
Var.XXXIII: Tempo Di Menuetto Moderato
I. Molto Moderato
II. Andante Sostenuto
III. Scherzo: Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza (Quasi Attacca:)
IV. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

No.1 In C Major: Agitato
No.2 In A Minor: Lento
No.3 In G Major: Vivace
No.4 In E Minor: Largo
No.5 In D Major: Allegro Molto
No.6 In B Minor: Lento Assai
No.7 In A Major: Andantino
No.8 In F Sharp Minor: Molto Agitato
No.9 In E Major: Largo
No.10 In C Sharp Minor: Allegro Molto
No.11 In B Major: Vivace
No.12 In G Sharp Minor: Presto
No.13 In F Sharp Major: Lento
No.14 In E Flat Minor: Allegro
No.15 In D Flat Major 'Raindrop': Sostenuto
No.16 In B Flat Minor: Presto Con Fuoco
No.17 In A Flat Major: Allegretto
No.18 In F Minor: Allegro Molto
No.19 In E Flat Major: Vivace
No.20 In C Minor: Largo
No.21 In B Flat Major: Cantabile
No.22 In G Minor: Molto Agitato
No.23 In F Major: Moderato
No.24 In D Minor: Allegro Appasionato
Maestoso
I. Lebhaft
II. Innig
III. Mit Humor (Etwas Hahnbuchen)
IV. Ungeduldig
V. Einfach
VI. Sehr Rasch (Sehr Rasch Und In Sich Hinein)
VII. Nicht Schnell (Mit Ausserst Starker Empfindung)
VIII. Frisch
IX. Lebhaft
X. Balladenmassig. Sehr Rasch
XI. Einfach
XII. Mit Humor
XIII. Wild Und Lustig
XIV. Zart Und Singend
XV. Frisch
XVI. Mit Gutem Humor
XVII. Wie Aus Der Ferne
XVIII. Nicht Schnell
Vivace
Allegretto
Lento

Tracks:

I. Ausserst Bewegt
II. Sehr Innig Und Nicht Zu Rasch-Intermezzo I: Sehr Lebhaft/Intermezzo II: Etwas Bewegter-Langsamer (Erstes Tempo)
III. Sehr Aufgeregt
IV. Sehr Langsam
V. Sehr Lebhaft
VI. Sehr Langsam
VII. Sehr Rasch
VIII. Schnell Und Spielend
I. Durchaus Phantastisch Und Leidenschaftlich Vorzutragen-Im Legendenton-Tempo Primo
II. Massig. Durchaus Energisch-Etwas Langsamer-Viel Bewegter
III. Langsam Getragen. Durchweg Leise Zu Halten-Etwas Bewegter
Thema: Andante
Etude I (Var. I): Un Poco Piu Vivo
Etude II (Var. II)
Etude III: Vivace
Etude IV (Var. III)
Etude V (Var. IV): Vivacissimo
Etude VI (Var. V): Agitato
Variation II Posth.
Etude VII (Var. VI): Allegro Molto
Etude VIII (Var. VII): Andante
Variation V Posth.
Etude IX: Presto Possibile
Etude X (Var. VIII): Allegro
Etude XI (Var. IX): Con Espressione
Finale: Etude XII: Allegro Brillante

Customer Reviews:

Anda The Master.......2006-09-02

It's fortunate that DGG is re-releasing so many of the stellar recordings of artists of the past including this 5-CD set of Geza Anda. Recordings of his that have been out of print for a long time are in this set thankfully. As a young budding piano student I had never purchased or listened to an Anda recording having been taken with the more technically richly endowed wiles of Horowitz and Richter's pianism. I focussed almost exclusively on pyrotechnics as a youth and didn't appreciate the intellect and artistry of artists such as Anda, Backhaus and Kempff until many years later as an adult.

Once I discovered Anda (or re-discovered him might be more like it) I fell in love with his deep sense of musicianship, grasp of musical structure, elemental pianism and visceral yet intellectually weighted emotionality. Because most of his recordings had gone out of print I snapped up what I could, notably the Bartok 3 piano concertos and Mozart complete piano concertos with the Camerata Salzburg. I also got some of the live performance CDs floating around which elucidated his excitement as a performer (along with the fallibility of his technique at times; a technique though that could handle anything thrown at it however).

The most eagerly awaited work for me in this set is the Brahms B-Flat performance which I had unsuccessfully had tried to acquire in LP format for a few years. It was the first thing I listened to in the set and it lived up to my expectations and more. This is a titanic performance of this towering massive concerto. Anda brings out all the fire and gut-pounding power in the places that call for it (e.g. at the beginning opening cadenza's finish before the orchestra tutti starts). He also brings an element of deep elemental mystery to other of the more ethereal passages in the first movement. The second movement it elemental in its power and expression. The end of the 2nd movement is exciting as all get out. My heart raced as Anda came cascading down in the d minor chords at the end of the movement! The cello soloist in the 3rd movement plays with soulfull intensity yet the movement is not taken at too slow a tempo which keeps the overall conception of the work moving with a forward impetus. Anda's entrance is beautiful beyond belief. He conveys a sense of mystery in his playing without it ever getting bogged down in the beautiful details of the notes. The last movement is buoyant and jubilation along with a sense of the delicateness abound. All in all a great performance! The DGG engineering is apparent in this recording with even being so old sounds as if it were recorded yesterday.

The rest of the performances are just as enthralling including 2 performances of the symphonic etudes (an early mono version on Disc 1 and the later stereo version on Disc 5) which are interesting to hear the juxtaposition of an artist's development. Like Julius Katchen, William Kapell and Dino Ciani, Anda was taken from us much too soon.

Awesome Anda.......2006-02-08

Best known as the first pianist to record a complete cycle of Mozart's Piano Concertos, Geza Anda shows his awesome power as both soloist and accompanist in a variety of works on "Troubadour of the Piano." For me, the collection's best moments were the opportunity to finally hear Anda's highly acclaimed accounts of the Schumann Piano Concerto, with Rafael Kubelik and the Berlin Philharmonic in stereo from 1963, and the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2, with Ferenc Fricsay and the Berliners in stereo from 1960. The Schumann is outstanding, but the Brahms is truly brilliant! Those familiar with Anda will know that the pianist made his definitive readings of the Bartok PCs with Fricsay, and they capture that magic once again. The pace is never rushed, and the playing clear and distinct -- it is a legendary performance. Speaking of Bartok, Anda and Fricsay also combine to perform the composer's Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra. Recorded in 1960 and originally paired on vinyl with the Bartok 1st, it was unable to fit on the aforementioned disc of the three Concertos and thus makes its CD debut here. Other highlights from this collection are stereo performances of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations and Chopin's 24 Preludes, and two versions of Schumann's Symphonic Etudes -- one in mono from 1943 and the other in stereo twenty years later. Some of the historical recordings are marred by poor sound, in particular the Franck Symphonic Variations with Van Beinum from 1943, but are delightful as reference material. In all, "Troubadour of the Piano" is another gem in Deutsche Grammophon's "Original Masters" series.

Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Diabelli Variations

Average customer rating:

sss'aight...
The Best Since Schnabel...
A performance of the highest artistry imaginable
Kuerti - Plays Beethoven Sonatas with Rare Fantasy & Fire
A real discovery

Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Diabelli Variations

Manufacturer: Analekta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000009CY6
Release Date: 2007-04-09

Tracks:

Son No.1 in f, Op.2 No.1: Allegro
Son No.1 in f, Op.2 No.1: Adagio
Son No.1 in f, Op.2 No.1: Menuetto: Allegretto
Son No.1 in f, Op.2 No.1: Prestissimo
Son No.2 in A, Op.2 No.2: Allegro Vivace
Son No.2 in A, Op.2 No.2: Largo Appassionato
Son No.2 in A, Op.2 No.2: Scherzo: Allegretto
Son No.2 in A, Op.2 No.2: Rondo: Grazioso
Son No.3 in C, Op.2 No.3: Allegro Con Brio
Son No.3 in C, Op.2 No.3: Adagio
Son No.3 in C, Op.2 No.3: Scherzo: Allegro
Son No.3 in C, Op.2 No.3: Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Son No.4 in E flat, Op.7: Allegro Molto E Con Brio
Son No.4 in E flat, Op.7: Largo Con Gran Espressione
Son No.4 in E flat, Op.7: Allegro
Son No.4 in E flat, Op.7: Rondo: Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
Son No.8 in c, Op.13 'Pathetique': Grave; Allegro Di Molto E Con Brio
Son No.8 in c, Op.13 'Pathetique': Adagio Cantabile
Son No.8 in c, Op.13 'Pathetique': Rondo: Allegro
Son No.12 in A flat, Op.26: Andante Con Variazioni
Son No.12 in A flat, Op.26: Scherzo: Allegro Molto
Son No.12 in A flat, Op.26: Marcia Funebre Sulla Morte D'Un Eroe
Son No.12 in A flat, Op.26: Allegro

Tracks:

Son No.5 in c, Op.10 No.1: Allegro Molto E Con Brio
Son No.5 in c, Op.10 No.1: Adagio Molto
Son No.5 in c, Op.10 No.1: Finale: Prestissimo
Son No.6 in F, Op.10 No.2: Allegro
Son No.6 in F, Op.10 No.2: Allegretto
Son No.6 in F, Op.10 No.2: Presto
Son No.7 in D, Op.10 No.3: Presto
Son No.7 in D, Op.10 No.3: Largo E Mesto
Son No.7 in D, Op.10 No.3: Menuetto: Allegro
Son No.7 in D, Op.10 No.3: Rondo: Allegro
Son No.9 in E, Op.14 No.1: Allegro
Son No.9 in E, Op.14 No.1: Allegretto
Son No.9 in E, Op.14 No.1: Rondo: Allegro Commodo

Tracks:

Son No.10 in G, Op.14 No.2: Allegro
Son No.10 in G, Op.14 No.2: Andante
Son No.10 in G, Op.14 No.2: Scherzo: Allegro Assai
Son No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1 'Sonata Quasi Una Fant': Andante: Allegro
Son No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1 'Sonata Quasi Una Fant': Allegro Molto E Vivace
Son No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1 'Sonata Quasi Una Fant': Adagio Con Espressione; Allegro Vivace
Son No.14 in c#, Op.27 No.2 'Sonata Quasi Una Fant': Adagio Sostenuto
Son No.14 in c#, Op.27 No.2 'Sonata Quasi Una Fant': Allegretto
Son No.14 in c#, Op.27 No.2 'Sonata Quasi Una Fant': Presto
Son No.15 in D, Op.28 'Pastorale': Allegro
Son No.15 in D, Op.28 'Pastorale': Andante
Son No.15 in D, Op.28 'Pastorale': Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Son No.15 in D, Op.28 'Pastorale': Rondo: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

Son No.16 in G, Op.31 No.1: Allegro Vivace
Son No.16 in G, Op.31 No.1: Adagio Grazioso
Son No.16 in G, Op.31 No.1: Rondo: Allegretto
Son No.17 in d, Op.31 No.2 'The Tempest': Largo: Allegro
Son No.17 in d, Op.31 No.2 'The Tempest': Adagio
Son No.17 in d, Op.31 No.2 'The Tempest': Allegretto
Son No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3: Allegro
Son No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3: Scherzo: Allegretto Vivace
Son No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3: Menuetto; Moderato E Grazioso
Son No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3: Presto Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Son No.11 in B flat, Op.22: Allegro Con Brio
Son No.11 in B flat, Op.22: Adagio Con Molta Espressione
Son No.11 in B flat, Op.22: Menuetto
Son No.11 in B flat, Op.22: Rondo: Allegretto
Son No.22 in F, Op.54: In Tempo D'Un Menuettto
Son No.22 in F, Op.54: Allegretto
Son No.23 in f, Op.57 'Appassionata': Allegro Assai
Son No.23 in f, Op.57 'Appassionata': Andante Con Moto
Son No.23 in f, Op.57 'Appassionata':Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonatina No.25 in G, Op.79: Presto Alla Tedesca
Sonatina No.25 in G, Op.79: Andante
Sonatina No.25 in G, Op.79: Vivace

Tracks:

Son No.19 in g, Op.49 No.1: Andante
Son No.19 in g, Op.49 No.1: Rondo: Allegro
Son No.20 in G, Op.49 No.2: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Son No.20 in G, Op.49 No.2: Tempo Di Menuetto
Son No.21 in C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Allegro Con Brio
Son No.21 in C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Intro: Adagio Molto
Son No.21 in C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Rondo: Allegretto Moderato; Prestissimo
Son No.24 in F#, Op.78: Adagio Cantabile; Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Son No.24 in F#, Op.78: Allegro Vivace
Son No.26 in E flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Adagio: Allegro
Son No.26 in E flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Andante Espressivo
Son No.26 in E flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Vivacissimamente

Tracks:

Son No.28 in A, Op.101: Etwas Lebhaft Und Mit Der Innigsten Empfindung
Son No.28 in A, Op.101: Lebhaft. Marschmassig
Son No.28 in A, Op.101: Langsam Und Sehnsuchtvoll
Son No.28 in A, Op.101: Geschwinde, Doch Nicht Zu Sehf, Und Mit Entschlossenheit
Son No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': Allegro
Son No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': Scherzo: Assai Vivace
Son No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': Adagio Sostenuto
Son No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': Largo: Allegro Risoluto

Tracks:

Son No.30 in E, Op.109: Vivace Ma Non Troppo; Adagio Espressivo
Son No.30 in E, Op.109: Prestissimo
Son No.30 in E, Op.109: Gesangvoll, Mit Innigster Empfindung
Son No.31 in F flat, Op.110: Moderato Cantabile Molto Espressivo
Son No.31 in F flat, Op.110: Allegro Molto
Son No.31 in F flat, Op.110: Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
Son No.31 in F flat, Op.110: Fuga: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Son No.32 in c, Op.111: Maestoso; Allegro Con Brio Ed Appassionato
Son No.32 in c, Op.111: Arietta: Adagio Molto Semplice E Cantabile

Tracks:

Son No.27 in e, Op.90: Mit Lebhaftigkeit Und Durchaus Mit Empfindung Und Ausdruck
Son No.27 in e, Op.90: Nicht Zu Geschwind Und Sehr Singbar Vorgetragen
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: Theme: Vivace
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: I. Alla Marcia Maestoso
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: II. Poco Allegro
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: III. L'Istesso Tempo
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: IV. Un Poco Piu Vivace
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: V. Allegro Vivace
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: VI. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo E Serioso
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: VII. Un Poco Piu Allegro
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: VIII. Poco Vivace
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: IX. Allegro Pesante E Risoluto
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: X. Presto
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XI. Allegretto
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XII. Un Poco Piu Mosso
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XIII. Vivace
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XIV. Grave E Maestoso
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XV. Presto Scherzando
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XVI. Allegro
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XVII. (Allegro)
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XVIII. Moderato
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XIX. Presto
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XX. Andante
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXI. Allegro Con Brio; Meno Allegro
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXII. Molto Allegro (Alla 'Notte E Giorno Faticar'...)
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXIII. Assai Allegro
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXIV. Fughetta: Andante
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXV. Allegro
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXVI. (Piacevole)
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXVII. Vivace
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXVIII. Allegro
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXIX. Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXX. Andante, Sempre Cantabile
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXXI. Largo, Molto Espressivo
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXXII. Fuga: Allegro
Vars On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli, Op.120: XXXIII. Tempo Di Minuetto, Moderato

Customer Reviews:

sss'aight..........2005-07-02

I think this is Beethoven for purists. Kuerti plays very individually and humanly but not so cosmically. He doesn't play with much weight or fire behind him, but rather with finess and beauty instead.

The Analekta sound is decent but could be louder and deeper.

His renditions are more preferable to me than say Barenboim (DG), Ashkenazy or Goode's, but it's true that Kuerti's are very interesting and unique readings indeed.

The Best Since Schnabel..........2005-01-17

... and actually I listen to Anton even more often than to Artur. Others here have described Kuerti's playing. Let me describe how he speaks: like a human being. This is confessional Beethoven -- by turns virile, humorous, romantic and visionary -- but it is above all intimate, from Beethoven's heart to Kuerti's and then, I believe, to yours. There is nothing of the virtuoso about this musician. His fingers are first-class, but they preserve the sense of struggle so crucial to Beethoven's rhetoric. Czerny and Schindler described their master's own playing in terms that I think will come to mind when you hear these life-enhancing performances. Buy them before they disappear.

A performance of the highest artistry imaginable.......2003-11-01

Where to start? I purchased this set on the recommendation of the manager of the classical CD department at a local CD store. We chat often about CDs, and this particular day, the conversation turned to the Beethoven piano sonatas, and he told me "You have to try this set. It's not like anything you've ever heard." Intrigued, I gave it a try.

Upon getting home to listen, I chose a familiar middle-period sonata to get my bearings - I chose the Apassionata. Within the first minute of the first movement I was transfixed in enjoyment and amazement. There are so many great performances of this piece, but this was indeed different from anything I had ever heard. I kept waiting for the usual problems I hear in most performances. Minor problems for sure, but always there nonetheless, such as too much pause after a phrase, or a tendency towards becoming mechanical and clangorous in the dense sections. But it never happened. The piece just kept pouring out with the most intricate passages seeming to stand still before me. To me, the performance seemed to transcend the usual adjectives one hears in reference to the Beethoven sonatas, such as "warm" and "lyrical" on one hand, or "granite-like" on the other. Rather it was as if all artificial coloration had been stripped away, and what was left was pure music, the perfect expression of the soul of the music. Kuerti plays from an utterly centered place, from which he uses supernatural control of articulation, dynamics, phrasing, to bring out music that is crystal clear and beyond words.

My next stop was the last movement of the Hammerklavier - the fugue. The Hammerklavier is one of my favorite pieces of music in the entire literature, but not the last movement in particular, because I'd never heard it performed well. I've only heard it in performances that are too harsh to enjoy. I've always felt there was a way to play it right - to bring it out correctly, but that I'd never heard a performance that achieved this. From the opening bars, my jaw dropped at Kuerti's performance. This movement opens with a number of short "episodes" before the main fugue is joined. These episodes usally sound like a "warmup" before the artist gets to the main show. In Kuerti's hands I was immediately transported to another world. There was a spirituality and profound peace that was palpable. It felt like Beethoven was in the room with me and Kuerti. (More on what I mean by this at the end!)

This experience of Kuerti's interpretations completely transcending anything I've previously heard was repeated again and again. Case in point - the Diabelli Variations. I purchased Pollini's CD a while back with high hopes. But I listened only once, and it has not come off the shelf since. But just a few minutes of Kuerti's performance, and I was entranced and immensly enjoying the music.

Everything in this set is a revelation! The feeling I get time and again when listening to these performances, especially the late sonatas, is that Beethoven is in the room. It's not that Kuerti disappears, and I hear Beethoven playing. It's more a feeling of Kuerti playing, me listening, and Beethoven is in the room, standing next to the piano, head bowed in concentration, smiling to himself, thinking that "this, finally, is right - this is how I meant it."

To me, these are performances of the highest artistry imagineable. If you love Beethoven's piano sonatas, and you're always searching for something more than what you've heard, you owe it to yourself to hear these performances!

Kuerti - Plays Beethoven Sonatas with Rare Fantasy & Fire.......2002-08-07

If you are a devoted fan of the Beethoven piano sonatas, these Kuerti performances of all 32 will go right to the top of your wish list. Because he has played mostly in Canada for the past several decades, perhaps Anton Kuerti is less well-known than the other big names you can get in the USA who play this repertoire. No matter, because Mr. Kuerti brings his own brand of rhythmic joi de vivre to LvB. Here is a recording whose perennially fresh sort of vital energy seems nourished by deep, probing roots into the rational-yet-mystical ways of some Unseen Whole. Each round of repeat play of these CD's will only further convince you of Mr. Kuerti's uncommon intelligence & magisterial musicality. Keen observors will be quick to note that Mr. K has also done the complete piano concertos, a top-drawer companion set, even in a distinguished and crowded field of worthy alternatives. Mr. K's Beethoven combines a lean, muscular tone with a swiftness of inflected rhythm, all balanced in a seemingly effortless manner with a singing line that shapes musical phrases to winning lyrical or dramatic effect. Some listeners may fault him for not having the luscious, bottomless tone of say, Claudio Arrau, or the careening wild bacchante spirit occasionally displayed by the likes of Martha Argerich. No doubt, others may play Beethoven, equally well though differently. Still the listener who forgoes Kuerti is depriving him or herself of performances which sparkle, radiate warmth, and ever remind us that Beethoven was a ready enough, rough wit; and a committed humanist (in the Enlightenment sense of those words); as well as a grand master. Can you ask a recorded performance to do more? These are highly recommended, well nigh indispensable performances.

A real discovery.......2000-08-28

Kuerti's complete set of Beethoven sonatas is extraordinary. Very powerful in the dramatic passages, without ever becoming loud or shrill, with a wonderful control of the tempi. Brilliant sforzati, remarkable use of agogics (is this the word? English is not my mother tongue). Kuerti also never neglects the playful and (in his wonderful comprehensive notes on the sonatas) makes you aware of how much humour there is to be found in many of them. The lyrical passages are also remarkable, with the only reservation that some of the slow movements are altogether too slow. I'm sure that, played like this, they are wonderful in the concert hall but on CD Kuerti asks much of his listeners in terms of concentration. But all in all the playing is difficult to surpass. I go back to these recordings time and again, full of admiration. The sound, by the way, is at times a bit on the dry side but it brings out the nuances of Kuerti's masterful playing much better than many of the later digital recordings whose sound is not only too harsh but also electronically blown up.

Beethoven: Diabelli Variations, Op. 120; Mozart: Sonata for Violin & Piano, KV 454

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Diabelli Variations, Op. 120; Mozart: Sonata for Violin & Piano, KV 454

Manufacturer: Urania
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00076YPNU
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Average customer rating:

for fanatics!!!
Dont hesitate....it's worth every dollar
Many definitive recordings here
Essential Music
A Treasure Trove of 'Live' Richter Performances

Sviatoslav Richter à Prague

Manufacturer: Praga
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005REQ0
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3: Allegro con brio
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3: Adagio
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3: Scherzo-Allegro
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3: Allegro assai
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3: Presto
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3: Largo e mesto
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3: Minuetto. Allegro
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3: Rondo. Allegro
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 26: Andante con varizioni
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 26: Scherzo. Allegro molto
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 26: Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 26: Allegro

Tracks:

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2: Largo-Allegro
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2: Adagio
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2: Allegretto
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3: Allegro
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3: Scherzo-Allegro vivace
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3: Minuetto. Moderato e grazioso
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3: Presto con fuoco
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57: Allegro assai
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57: Andante con moto-Attacca
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57: Allegro ma non troppo-Presto

Tracks:

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90: Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90: Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorzutragen
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Allegro ma non troppo
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: Lebhaft, marschmabig. Vivace alla marcia
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto-attacca
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101: Geschwind, dich nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106: Scherzo. Assai vivace
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106: Adagio sostenuto. Appassionato e con molto sentimento
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106: Largo-Allegro risoluto

Tracks:

Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Vivace
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Alla marcia maestoso
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Poco allegro
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: L'istesso tempo
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Un poco piu vivace
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro vivace
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro ma non troppo e serioso
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Un poco piu allegro
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Poco vivace
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro pesante e risoluto
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Presto
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegretto
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Un poco piu moto
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Vivace
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Grave e maestoso
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Presto scherzando
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Poco moderato
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Presto
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Andante
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro con brio
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro molto
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro assai
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Andante
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Variation XXVI
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Vivace
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Allegro
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Adagio ma non troppo
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Andante, sempre cantabile
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Largo, molto espressivo
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Fugue-Allegro
Beethoven: 33 Variations Diabelli, Op. 120: Tempo di minuetto moderato
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Allegro molto
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Adagio, ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Fuga

Tracks:

Beethoven: Concerto for piano & orchestra No. 1 in C major, op. 15: Allegro con brio-Cadence
Beethoven: Concerto for piano & orchestra No. 1 in C major, op. 15: Largo
Beethoven: Concerto for piano & orchestra No. 1 in C major, op. 15:
Beethoven: Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Allegro con brio-Cadence
Beethoven: Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Largo
Beethoven: Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Rondo-Allegro

Tracks:

Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1: Allegro
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1: Andante
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1: Scherzo-Allegro molto e con fuoco
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1: Finale-Allegro con fuoco
Brahms: Variations in D major on a Hungarian Song Op. 21 No. 2
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor Op. 2: Allegro non troppo in fis-moll Op. 2
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor Op. 2: Andante con espressione
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor Op. 2: Scherzo: allegro
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor Op. 2: Finale: Introduzione, sostenuto-Allegro ma non troppo e rubato

Tracks:

Chopin: Etudes Op. 10: No. 4 in C sharp minor: Presto
Chopin: Etudes Op. 10: No. 10 in A flat major: Vivace assai
Chopin: Etudes Op. 10: No. 11 in E flat major: Allegretto
Chopin: Etudes Op. 25: No. 5 in E minor: Vivace
Chopin: Etudes Op. 25: No. 8 in D flat major: Vivace
Chopin: Etudes Op. 25: No. 11 in A minor: Lento
Chopin: Etudes Op. 25: No. 12 in C minor: Allegro molto con fuoco
Chopin: Nocturnes: Op. 62 No. 2 in E major: Lento
Chopin: Nocturnes: Op. 72 No. 1 in E minor: Andante
Chopin: Polonaise No. 7
Scriabine: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G sharp minor, Op. 19: Andante
Scriabine: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G sharp minor, Op. 19: Presto
Scriabine: Piano Sonata No. 5 in F sharp minor, Op. 53

Tracks:

Beethoven: Rondos op. 51: No. 1 in C major
Beethoven: Rondos op. 51: No. 2 in G major
Beethoven: Bagatelles op. 126: No. 1: Andante con moto cantabile e compiacevole
Beethoven: Bagatelles op. 126: No. 4: Presto, en si minuer
Beethoven: Bagatelles op. 126: No. 6: Presto-Andante amabile e con moto
Chopin: Etudes op. 10: No. 1 in C major
Chopin: Etudes op. 10: No. 2 in A minor
Chopin: Etudes op. 10: No. 3 in E major
Chopin: Etudes op. 10: No. 12 in C minor
Chopin: Etudes op. 25: No. 6 in G sharp minor
Chopin: Etudes op. 25: No. 7 in C sharp minor
Chopin: Ballades: No. 1 in G minor
Chopin: Ballades: No. 2 in F major
Chopin: Ballades: No. 3 in A flat
Chopin: Ballades: No. 4 in F minor

Tracks:

Liszt: Etudes d'execution transcendante: Preludio
Liszt: Etudes d'execution transcendante: Etude
Liszt: Etudes d'execution transcendante: Paysage
Liszt: Etudes d'execution transcendante: Will-o'-the-wisps
Liszt: Etudes d'execution transcendante: Harmonies du soir
Ravel: Valse Nobles et Sentimentales
Ravel: Miroirs: Noctuelles
Ravel: Miroirs: Oiseaux tristes
Ravel: Miroirs: Une barque sur l'ocean
Ravel: Miroirs: Alborada del gracioso
Ravel: Miroirs: La Vallee des cloches

Tracks:

Haydn: Piano Sonata in D major: Allegro con brio
Haydn: Piano Sonata in D major: Adagio-Presto
Mozart: Piano Sonata in F major: Allegro assai
Mozart: Piano Sonata in F major: Adagio
Mozart: Piano Sonata in F major: Presto
Mozart: Piano Sonata in E flat major: Adagio
Mozart: Piano Sonata in E flat major: Minuetto I & II
Mozart: Piano Sonata in E flat major: Allegro
Mozart: Piano Sonata in A minor: Allegro maestoso
Mozart: Piano Sonata in A minor: Andante cantabile con espressione
Mozart: Piano Sonata in A minor: Presto

Tracks:

Mozart: Piano Sonata in B flat major: Allegro
Mozart: Piano Sonata in B flat major: Andante cantabile
Mozart: Piano Sonata in B flat major: Allegretto grazioso
Mozart: Piano Sonata in F major: Allegro
Mozart: Piano Sonata in F major: Andante
Mozart: Rondo in F major
Mozart: Piano Sonata in C major: Allegro
Mozart: Piano Sonata in C major: Andante
Mozart: Piano Sonata in C major: Rondo

Tracks:

Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux op. 33: No. 4 in D minor: Moderato
Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux op. 33: No. 5 in E flat minor: Non allegro
Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux op. 33: No. 8 in C sharp minor: Grave
Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux op. 39: No.1 in C minor: Allegro agitato
Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux op. 39: No. 2 in A minor: Lento assai
Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux op. 39: No. 3 in F sharp minor: Allegro molto
Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux op. 39: No. 4 in B minor: Allegro assai
Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux op. 39: No. 9 in D major: Allegro moderato
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Gnomus
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Il vecchio castello
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Les Tuileries
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Bydlo
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Ballet des poussins dans leur coque
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg et Schmuyle
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Limoges, le marche
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: Catacombae: Sepulcrum romanum
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: La Cabane sur des pattes de poule
Moussorgski: Pictures at an Exhibition: La Grand Porte de Kiev

Tracks:

Weber: Piano Sonata Op. 49 No. 3 in D minor: Allegro feroce
Weber: Piano Sonata Op. 49 No. 3 in D minor: Andante con moto
Weber: Piano Sonata Op. 49 No. 3 in D minor: Rondo. Presto
Schubert: Piano Sonata Op. 53 in D minor: Allegro
Schubert: Piano Sonata Op. 53 in D minor: Con moto
Schubert: Piano Sonata Op. 53 in D minor: Scherzo. Allegro vivace
Schubert: Piano Sonata Op. 53 in D minor: Rondo. Allegro moderato

Tracks:

Schubert: Piano Sonata in B flat major: Molto moderato
Schubert: Piano Sonata in B flat major: Andante sostenuto
Schubert: Piano Sonata in B flat major: Scherzo. Allegro vivace con delicatezza-Trio
Schubert: Piano Sonata in B flat major: Allegro ma non troppo
Schubert: Impromptu op. 90: Allegretto
Liszt: Polonaise No. 2 in E major

Tracks:

Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Thema. Andante
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Un poco piu vivo
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Marcato il canto
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Vivace
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Variation III
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Variation IV
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Variation post. I
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Variation post. II
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Variation post. III
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Variation post. IV
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Variation post. V
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Agitato
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Allegro molto
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Andante con espressione
Schumann: Etudes symphoniques op. 13: Allegro brillante
Schumann: Fantasie in C op. 17: Durchaus fantastisch und leidenschaft vorzutragen-Im Legenden Ton
Schumann: Fantasie in C op. 17: Mabig. Durchaus energisch-Etwas langsamer-Viel bewegter
Schumann: Fantasie in C op. 17: Langsam betragen. Durchweg leise zu halten-Etwas bewegter

Amazon.com

This is the largest, most comprehensive, and most valuable collection currently available of the playing of one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Czech Radio seems to have recorded virtually everything Richter played during his frequent visits to Prague during a period of 34 years. Many of the highlights of the pianist's vast repertoire are included here, including 10 Beethoven Sonatas, two Concertos, and the "Diabelli" Variations, along with major works of Brahms, Chopin, Mozart, Ravel, Schubert, Schumann, and Scriabin. These include such unusual items as the first two Brahms Sonatas and the Chopin Ballades. Some of the earlier recordings are muffled in sound quality, and a few (such as Mozart's Sonata K. 280 and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition) are even afflicted with disturbing tape flutter. But most of the recordings sound excellent, and most of the performances are glorious. At the greatly reduced price (15 CDs for the price of 5), this set is a bargain that any pianophile can afford. But if you've collected the original series, beware of discarding them too quickly. An entire CD of Prokofiev--one of Richter's greatest specialties--is missing from this compilation, as are separately issued discs of the Dvorák and Grieg Concertos, which could have made yet another worthwhile disc. For what we have, however, let us give thanks--and also for the space-saving box! --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

for fanatics!!!.......2007-04-21

I bought this set in a store 2 years ago, i paid about$70 for it.thats about what its worth. I resold it on the net last year for about $100. thats really all this set is worth. the chopin is good the beethoven is excellent,the scriabin is good but the recording is terrible. the ravel the same. the weber is also a very bad recording. the brahms was recorded when richter started playing on yamaha pianos because he was going deaf. this renders a very horrible tinny sound,the playing is excellent but the piano is not worthy of the perfornance. to sum it up the playing is excellent on all the recordings but there is only about six disks worth of music that is worthy of giving attention to, $100 thats a fair price for this set. find a good distributer or a good classical music store like tower records{thats where i bought it} its really not so obscure or rare. I sell on the net all the time, I have a reputation for selling rare music and dvds for very reasonable prices. thing is half this stuff is not rare at all. spend $20 take a road trip find a record collector or a store that deals in nothing but classical music and you will probably walk out with this set for $125-$150 or maybe have a real good day and only pay $50. prices that range from $500 to $1000 this is for fanatics or people who are bored and simply have to much money. I would not profit on my worst enemy in such a way. so please at least try my advice. thank you.

Dont hesitate....it's worth every dollar.......2005-02-14

I bought this set two years ago...and today..still...I consider the prize of my collection. Richter's ballades are remarkable, probalby the best he has releases(all four are included)-the diabelli variations are top form as are Rachmaninov Etudes Tab. Despite some sound problems, this is an excellent version of the Pictures and the two brahms sonatas are much better than decca's release. Also included here is Richter's only Hungarian Variations by Brahms( i think). The D960 is good, not the best I have heard, though the second movement almost moved me to tears one night. You will never find a more thorough compilation of high quality performances ranging from the fifties to the eighties. There is nothing here to complain about.

Many definitive recordings here.......2004-03-20

Richter has a way of getting to the heart or to the truth behind any piece he plays. Using his powerful mind, spirtual understanding, and limitless technique, his is able to put his ego aside and let the music speak for itself. Out of the 15 discs, I thoroughly enjoyed 14 of them. The only exception being the Brahms Sonata 1 & 2. I simply do not enjoy listening to either piece. I will now list the pieces in which I believe are definitive performances. Each will be followed with other recordings with which I am comparing them to. 1. Appassionata(Pletnev, Pollini, Rubinstein, Horowitz) 2. Chopin Etude Op.10 No.1 (Perahia, Pollini, Ashkenazy, Lugansky, Wild, Berezovsky) 3. Chopin Nocturne Op.62 No.2 (Pires, Ashkenazy, Rubinstein) 4. Chopin Polonaise-Fantasy Op.61 (Kapell, Horowitz, Pollini) 5. Scriabin Sonata No.5 (Horowitz, Evgeni Mikhailov, Sofronitsky, Bernd Glemser) 6. All Chopin Ballades-definitely some of the most passionate interpretations on record(Perahia, Ashkenazy, Nikolai Petrov, Zimmerman, Kissin) 7. Beethoven Piano Con. 1&3 (Perahia, Serkin, Rubinstein) 8. Liszt Transcendental Etudes-excluding Feux Follets, best performance is given be E.Kissin (V.Ovchinikov, Berezovsky, Arrau, Bolet, F.Kempf) 9. Valses nobles et sentimentales (Cecile Ousset, Berezovsky, Pogorelich) 10. Miroirs-Richter perfectly enters the sound-world of Ravel like no other pianist. His tone and phrasing are out-of-this-world. (Cecile Ousset, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Minoru Nojima, Gieseking, Anne Queffelec) Almost every piece he plays sounds important and has an indescribable satisfaction to it. Buy it! It will give you hours of listening pleasure.

Essential Music.......2003-09-17

After owning a few dozen recordings with Richter (including a few made in Czechoslovakia), buying this box-set would have been a stretch had it not been for a couple of assumptions: a) Richter's confessed affection for several things Czech b) the promised value for money. Now, to sum it all up, I am so glad this set exceeded my expectations by so much!

Indeed, I could detect in these live performances, given over 3 decades, what might have been Richter's love for music, audience, and Czechoslovakia. The atmosphere is of warm intimacy, punctuated by veritable moments of musical tension built and delivered so masterfully, yet jocular at times. Such unique moments, not always present in his other recordings, I posit, are the fruit of Richter's being in resonance with his part Slavic and part German audience.

As for the presentation, suffice it to say it is simply great. Kudos to Harmonia Mundi Germany! The master-recordings seem to be more than decent--considering their casual nature. The booklet is concise and informative--notes on the composers and pieces as well as notes on Richter's approach to those pieces/composers.

Had I been asked to pay twice as much as I did after listening to this music I would have done it!

A Treasure Trove of 'Live' Richter Performances.......2002-04-10

Recorded by Czech Radio between the mid '50s and the late '80s, this fascinating CD set is one of the best available documents of the great Sviatoslav Richter in concert. Recorded sound is variable (the set rates 5 stars just the same), and most of the pre-1970s performances are mono, but no fan of great pianism should be without this set. And although many performances here are Richter "standards" (Skryabin sonatas, Beethoven's 'Appasionata' and 'Tempest' sonatas, Schumann's 'Fantasie,' to name just a few), there are some rarities as well. Let me give just three reasons why I find this set so indispensable. Richter didn't perform Beethoven's monumental 'Diabelli Variations' and 'Hammerklavier' sonata until quite late in his career; the very well recorded Prague concert recordings presented here are fully the equal of any released on other labels. Likewise, the performance of Brahms's First Piano Sonata (which exists in several Richter versions)is truly first-rate. Nevertheless, the Brahms disc is more valuable for presenting the best Richter performance I've heard of the less well-known Second Sonata, plus the only known Richter performance of the composer's 'Variations on a Hungarian Tune.' Finally, let me say to those who have long known - and loved - Richter's magnificent 1958 Sofia performance of Moussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition,' this set presents a roughly contemporary (1956) Prague account that is almost as good and much better recorded. So Richter fans shouldn't hesitate and those who don't know the the man's art will find in this set a convincing demonstration that the late Ukrainian/Soviet pianist was one of the greatest artists in the history of the instrument. One final note. This is a reissue of a boxed set that appeared several years ago, also on Harmonia Mundi. For the reissue, the fifteen discs have been transferred to sturdy cardboard envelopes and housed in a space saving 'soft' box that is elegant to behold and very space-efficient. Full liner notes duplicate those on the previous issue, but the price has been handsomely reduced: fifteen cds are now offered for the price of five!

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Coronet Blue

Janácek: Piano Music, Vol. 2

Jacqui Naylor

Music: Black Legends Of Jazz: The Original Decca Recordings

Goodbye [CD-single] [Import]

In Concert [Import]

Gift of the Tortoise

Gluck: Paride Ed Elena

Guitar Player Plus [Import]

Enrique Iglesias [1995]

Epilogue

Happiness Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch

Freestyle Party, Vol. 15 [Import]

Everybody's Opera

I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die