Early Beethoven Piano Sonatas

[p***@mc.com]

A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.

Thanks,
Phil

[Joachim Pense]

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.

For Op. 2, Gulda is great, Nr. 1 in particular.

(But then, his recordings are fine for many of the Sonatas, in particular
the early ones)

Joachim

[Matt]

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.

That's easy. Gulda (Amadeo) is by far the best I know for the early sonatas
(which usually sound like an afterthought in most sets). Second choice (for
me) in this repetoire would be Claude Frank. I also like Kovecevich here,
but not in preference to Gulda and Frank. Yves Nat and Schnabel would also
be worth aquiring for this purpose, but obviously they aren't in stereo.
Gilels and Arrau, on the other hand, seem to me to be particularly heavy and
unenjoyable in the early sonatas. Brendel (Vox), Heidsieck, Kempff, and
Annie Fischer are also not, in my opinion, worth getting primarily for the
earlier sonatas (although I don't dislike them here as I do Gilels and
Arrau).

Individual performances I like are Richter (1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11), Hungerford
(4, 5), Michelangeli (4, although this is an extremely idiosyncratic and
un-Beethoven-like performance), Sokolov (3), Casadesus (2 in mono), Kocsis
(1,5), Horowitz (7), and Solomon (1 in mono and 7 in stereo, perhaps the
only two I am enthusiastic about in this incomplete cycle). There are lots
and lots and lots of good Pathétiques (which would fall under your
definition of an early sonata although probably not mine -- I'd cut it off
at Op. 10).

Regards,
Matt

[Johannes Roehl]

Post by Matt

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.

That's easy. Gulda (Amadeo) is by far the best I know for the early sonatas
(which usually sound like an afterthought in most sets). Second choice (for
me) in this repetoire would be Claude Frank. I also like Kovecevich here,
but not in preference to Gulda and Frank. Yves Nat and Schnabel would also
be worth aquiring for this purpose, but obviously they aren't in stereo.
Gilels and Arrau, on the other hand, seem to me to be particularly heavy and

I second Gulda wholeheartedly and he is not ar all horrible in the later
works (and Kocsis, but that single Philips disc maybe hard to find).
Gilels is a mixed bag here. I agree that some are too heavy (also slow
and humourless), but op. 2,3 and op. 10,3 are very good, op. 2,2 quite
good. I also like his op. 26 (still an early sonata for me;-))

Johannes

[Ivailo Partchev]

I agree with almost everything except Solomon. In fact, I think the two
most interesting complete cycles can be assembled in the Dr Frankenstein
fashion as follows;

Gulda, excellent in the early sonatas but a bit extreme in the late ones
+ the late sonatas with Charles Rosen

Schnabel, breathtaking in most of the early ones but all over the place
in the Hammerklavier + the late sonatas with Solomon.

Post by Matt

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.

That's easy. Gulda (Amadeo) is by far the best I know for the early sonatas
(which usually sound like an afterthought in most sets). Second choice (for
me) in this repetoire would be Claude Frank. I also like Kovecevich here,
but not in preference to Gulda and Frank. Yves Nat and Schnabel would also
be worth aquiring for this purpose, but obviously they aren't in stereo.
Gilels and Arrau, on the other hand, seem to me to be particularly heavy and
unenjoyable in the early sonatas. Brendel (Vox), Heidsieck, Kempff, and
Annie Fischer are also not, in my opinion, worth getting primarily for the
earlier sonatas (although I don't dislike them here as I do Gilels and
Arrau).
Individual performances I like are Richter (1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11), Hungerford
(4, 5), Michelangeli (4, although this is an extremely idiosyncratic and
un-Beethoven-like performance), Sokolov (3), Casadesus (2 in mono), Kocsis
(1,5), Horowitz (7), and Solomon (1 in mono and 7 in stereo, perhaps the
only two I am enthusiastic about in this incomplete cycle). There are lots
and lots and lots of good Pathétiques (which would fall under your
definition of an early sonata although probably not mine -- I'd cut it off
at Op. 10).
Regards,
Matt

[Bob Lombard]

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

Gulda is good in the early ones, as others have said. Richter is also a
standout in the early sonatas, in interpretations much different from
Gulda's, interpretations with more depth (drama?) and maybe less whimsy.
Don't know if all of Richter's early LvB is available in stereo. Don't place
much value in stereo for piano solo anyway - just back yourself off a few
feet (in your head) from the piano.

bl

[b***@yahoo.co.uk]

Just to chime in and say that Gulda is really marvellous in the early
ones as a group, having recently obtained the Decca set with the Amadeo
sonatas. Michelangeli in 3 and 4 spring to mind. Some good but
unspecific memories of Nat as well, but haven't heard them for a while
now.

VG

[p***@mc.com]

Post by b***@yahoo.co.uk
Just to chime in and say that Gulda is really marvellous in the early
ones as a group, having recently obtained the Decca set with the Amadeo
sonatas. Michelangeli in 3 and 4 spring to mind. Some good but
unspecific memories of Nat as well, but haven't heard them for a while
now.
VG

Our of curiosity, where did you get them? I can't find them online
anywhere... :-(

Phil

[j***@aol.com]

Post by Matt

Post by b***@yahoo.co.uk
Just to chime in and say that Gulda is really marvellous in the early
ones as a group, having recently obtained the Decca set with the

Amadeo

Post by b***@yahoo.co.uk
sonatas. Michelangeli in 3 and 4 spring to mind. Some good but
unspecific memories of Nat as well, but haven't heard them for a

while

Post by b***@yahoo.co.uk
now.
VG

Our of curiosity, where did you get them? I can't find them online
anywhere... :-(
Phil

Are you talking about the Nat? Amazon lists 8 different vendors for
this box set. Apparently CDUniverse also sells it...

--Jeff

[p***@mc.com]

Post by j***@aol.com

Post by Matt

Post by b***@yahoo.co.uk
Just to chime in and say that Gulda is really marvellous in the

early

Post by Matt

Post by b***@yahoo.co.uk
ones as a group, having recently obtained the Decca set with the

Amadeo

Post by b***@yahoo.co.uk
sonatas. Michelangeli in 3 and 4 spring to mind. Some good but
unspecific memories of Nat as well, but haven't heard them for a

while

Post by b***@yahoo.co.uk
now.
VG

Our of curiosity, where did you get them? I can't find them online
anywhere... :-(
Phil

Are you talking about the Nat? Amazon lists 8 different vendors for
this box set. Apparently CDUniverse also sells it...
--Jeff

No, sorry. I meant the Gulda on Amadeo.

Phil

[b***@yahoo.co.uk]

Post by p***@mc.com

Post by p***@mc.com
Our of curiosity, where did you get them? I can't find them online
anywhere... :-(

No, sorry. I meant the Gulda on Amadeo.
Phil

Second-hand I'm afraid, so not much help to you. It is available on
amazon.de though, now that I check.

VG

[Vaneyes]

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.

Glenn Gould Edition, Vol. I.

Regards

[Owen Hartnett]

Post by Vaneyes

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.

Glenn Gould Edition, Vol. I.
Regards

Seconded.

-Owen

[David Fox]

Thirded.

David Fox

[Joachim Pense]

Post by Vaneyes
Glenn Gould Edition, Vol. I.

If it is not Bach, I would suggest Gould _only_ to those who know the pieces
well already and now want to hear them from a different angle.

Joachim

[David Fox]

Have you heard Gould's early Beethoven? It is no more affected than
that of any of the pianists mentioned above. Now, certain other Gould
Beethoven recordings are another matter entirely (eg. Op. 57, Op. 111).

David Fox

[Dick Sexton]

Post by David Fox
Have you heard Gould's early Beethoven?

You talkin' to me?

Could you G2 users please learn to quote (and attribute when you do quote)?
This lunatic-bursting-out-in-a-monologue-on-a-city-bus routine is really
jarring for some of us. (Yes, I know I could easily filter you out, but I
like to reserve that for _real_ lunatics.)

Thanks.

[Ian Pace]

Post by David Fox
Have you heard Gould's early Beethoven? It is no more affected than
that of any of the pianists mentioned above. Now, certain other Gould
Beethoven recordings are another matter entirely (eg. Op. 57, Op. 111).
David Fox

It's a long time since I listened to Gould's early Beethoven, but remember
his Op. 10 No. 2 as particularly impressive, with a truly crazy but
fantastic finale.

Ian

[Peter Greenstein]

Post by Ian Pace

Post by David Fox
Have you heard Gould's early Beethoven? It is no more affected than
that of any of the pianists mentioned above. Now, certain other Gould
Beethoven recordings are another matter entirely (eg. Op. 57, Op. 111).
David Fox

It's a long time since I listened to Gould's early Beethoven, but remember
his Op. 10 No. 2 as particularly impressive, with a truly crazy but
fantastic finale.
Ian

In other words, this nut's a genius.

[j***@earthlink.net]

Post by Joachim Pense

Post by Vaneyes
Glenn Gould Edition, Vol. I.

If it is not Bach, I would suggest Gould _only_ to those who know the pieces
well already and now want to hear them from a different angle.
Joachim

Yes, but what an angle. Even with some quirks, Gould manages the early
sonatas pretty well.

At least we're not talking about Gould's Appassionata or Opp 109-111 --
though he almost makes the Appassionata work. If his opening were a
little stronger instead of sounding wishy-washy, he might have pulled
off the Appassionata at the measured pace he took it.

jy

[Owen Hartnett]

Post by Joachim Pense

Post by Joachim Pense

Post by Vaneyes
Glenn Gould Edition, Vol. I.

If it is not Bach, I would suggest Gould _only_ to those who know the

pieces

Post by Joachim Pense
well already and now want to hear them from a different angle.
Joachim

Yes, but what an angle. Even with some quirks, Gould manages the early
sonatas pretty well.
At least we're not talking about Gould's Appassionata or Opp 109-111 --
though he almost makes the Appassionata work. If his opening were a
little stronger instead of sounding wishy-washy, he might have pulled
off the Appassionata at the measured pace he took it.

In the early and middle sonatas is where Gould really shines. He plays
them with gusto and polish, and many are superbly done.

-Owen

[Norman M. Schwartz]

Post by Owen Hartnett

Post by Joachim Pense

Post by Joachim Pense

Post by Vaneyes
Glenn Gould Edition, Vol. I.

If it is not Bach, I would suggest Gould _only_ to those who know the

pieces

Post by Joachim Pense
well already and now want to hear them from a different angle.
Joachim

Yes, but what an angle. Even with some quirks, Gould manages the early
sonatas pretty well.
At least we're not talking about Gould's Appassionata or Opp 109-111 --
though he almost makes the Appassionata work. If his opening were a
little stronger instead of sounding wishy-washy, he might have pulled
off the Appassionata at the measured pace he took it.

In the early and middle sonatas is where Gould really shines. He plays
them with gusto and polish, and many are superbly done.

If your *only* familiarity with these works came from GG, would all the
others be from "a different angle"?

[Owen Hartnett]

Post by Norman M. Schwartz

Post by Owen Hartnett

Post by Joachim Pense

Post by Joachim Pense

Post by Vaneyes
Glenn Gould Edition, Vol. I.

If it is not Bach, I would suggest Gould _only_ to those who know the

pieces

Post by Joachim Pense
well already and now want to hear them from a different angle.
Joachim

Yes, but what an angle. Even with some quirks, Gould manages the early
sonatas pretty well.
At least we're not talking about Gould's Appassionata or Opp 109-111 --
though he almost makes the Appassionata work. If his opening were a
little stronger instead of sounding wishy-washy, he might have pulled
off the Appassionata at the measured pace he took it.

In the early and middle sonatas is where Gould really shines. He plays
them with gusto and polish, and many are superbly done.

If your *only* familiarity with these works came from GG, would all the
others be from "a different angle"?

You could substitute any other pianist for GG in that statement.

Maybe the only measurement that might be at least acceptable to most
people would be "deviance from Schnabel" but this falls into its own
set of traps when applied to others.

-Owen

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

Have you seen the 2005 movie PRIDE AND PREJUDICE?:

- ...The early piano sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven...became a "point of reference" and "starting point" for the original score [of the 2005 movie PRIDE AND PREJUDICE].

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_%26_Prejudice_(2005_film)#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGoldwasser2006-64

[Herman]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

- ...The early piano sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven...became a "point of reference" and "starting point" for the original score [of the 2005 movie PRIDE AND PREJUDICE].
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_%26_Prejudice_(2005_film)#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGoldwasser2006-64

You need to see a doctor real soon.

[c***@gmail.com]

Post by Herman

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

- ...The early piano sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven...became a "point of reference" and "starting point" for the original score [of the 2005 movie PRIDE AND PREJUDICE].
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_%26_Prejudice_(2005_film)#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGoldwasser2006-64

You need to see a doctor real soon.

Nonsense. Reviving an eleven-year-old thread with a real discussion in it, even with moments of silliness, benefits most present company.
(We are willing to make an exception for you.)

JDW

[laraine]

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by Herman

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

- ...The early piano sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven...became a "point of reference" and "starting point" for the original score [of the 2005 movie PRIDE AND PREJUDICE].
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_%26_Prejudice_(2005_film)#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGoldwasser2006-64

You need to see a doctor real soon.

Nonsense. Reviving an eleven-year-old thread with a real discussion in it, even with moments of silliness, benefits most present company.
(We are willing to make an exception for you.)
JDW

So Jean-Yves Thibaudet with the English Chamber Orchestra played the
piano pieces on this soundtrack. And the article really does say that
the soundtrack used the early Beethoven sonatas as a starting point for
the composers. Perhaps a movie to see and listen to.

C.

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

According to this recent article:

- Many of Beethoven’s piano works were first performed by aristocratic Viennese ladies.

http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/6508/full

[Terry]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

- Many of Beethoven’s piano works were first performed by aristocratic Viennese ladies.
http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/6508/full

I should have thought that the FIRST performance would have been by the composer himself. However, following publication, It's easy to imagine several possibilities for early performances.

[dk]

Post by g***@gmail.com
- Many of Beethoven’s piano works were first
performed by aristocratic Viennese ladies.
http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/6508/full

Ach so! Viennese teenies rather than Asian
teenies? Herman must be feeling great relief!

dk

[AB]

Post by dk

Post by g***@gmail.com
- Many of Beethoven’s piano works were first
performed by aristocratic Viennese ladies.
http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/6508/full

Ach so! Viennese teenies rather than Asian
teenies? Herman must be feeling great relief!
dk

why do you pick on Herman. he really means well.

AB

[dk]

Post by AB

Post by dk

Post by g***@gmail.com
- Many of Beethoven’s piano works were first
performed by aristocratic Viennese ladies.
http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/6508/full

Ach so! Viennese teenies rather than Asian
teenies? Herman must be feeling great relief!

why do you pick on Herman. he really means well.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

dk

[AB]

Post by dk

Post by AB

Post by dk

Post by g***@gmail.com
- Many of Beethoven’s piano works were first
performed by aristocratic Viennese ladies.
http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/6508/full

Ach so! Viennese teenies rather than Asian
teenies? Herman must be feeling great relief!

why do you pick on Herman. he really means well.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
dk

not in New Jersey ( if you know what i mean)

AB

[dk]

Post by AB

Post by dk

Post by AB

Post by dk

Post by g***@gmail.com
- Many of Beethoven’s piano works were first
performed by aristocratic Viennese ladies.
http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/6508/full

Ach so! Viennese teenies rather than Asian
teenies? Herman must be feeling great relief!

why do you pick on Herman. he really means well.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

not in New Jersey ( if you know what i mean)

New Jersey does not need any roads to hell.
Hell is right there! ;-)

dk

[AB]

Post by dk

Post by AB

Post by dk

Post by AB

Post by dk

Post by g***@gmail.com
- Many of Beethoven’s piano works were first
performed by aristocratic Viennese ladies.
http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/6508/full

Ach so! Viennese teenies rather than Asian
teenies? Herman must be feeling great relief!

why do you pick on Herman. he really means well.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

not in New Jersey ( if you know what i mean)

New Jersey does not need any roads to hell.
Hell is right there! ;-)
dk

yes, right at the George Washington during the lanes shut down and now no more road repairs!

AB

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.music.classical/vfQzETV8jmI

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by p***@mc.com
A slight twist to the recurrent question of Beethoven Piano Sonata
sets. I'd love some recommendations for stereo sets which you think
provide the best performances overall of just the early sonatas (say
op. 2 up to approximately op.22). The set need not include only the
early sonatas to be worth recommending; please feel free to recommend
complete sets even if you think that all the interpretations of the
middle to late sonatas are horrible. It only matters to me that the
interpretations of the early sonatas are amongst your favorites.
Thanks,
Phil

https://www.udiscovermusic.com/classical-news/beethovens-early-piano-sonatas-classics-unlocked/