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Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Vol. 4: Sonatas Opp. 26, 27 & 28 | 
 enlarge | Creators: Ludwig Van Beethoven, Andras Schiff
Label: Ecm Records
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $12.48
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New (26) Used (8) from $8.97
Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 53791
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 000884802
UPC: 028947658757
EAN: 0028947658757
ASIN: B000PC6G6A
Release Date: May 22, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Andante con Variazioni | | • | Scherzo. Allegro molto | | • | Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe | | • | Allegro | | • | Andante - Allegro - Tempo 1 | | • | Allegro molto e vivace | | • | Adagio con espressione | | • | Allegro vivace | | • | Adagio sostenuto | | • | Allegretto | | • | Presto agitato | | • | Allegro | | • | Andante | | • | Scherzo. Allegro vivace | | • | Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
Andras Schiff's complete recordings of "the great 32" continue with the fourth instalment. His performances of these masterworks are highly regarded by classical press everywhere. Volume IV is sure to continue the praise and to appeal to even broader audiences as it includes perhaps Beethoven's most famous work for piano - the legendary Sonata No. 14 in c-sharp minor, the "Moonlight." The CD concludes with another of Beethoven's bestknown sonatas - No. 15 in D major, the "Pastorale." Whether performing Bach, Beethoven, Janacek or Mozart (and many others), Andras Schiff is one of the most heralded and acclaimed pianists of his generation. The New York Times says "Mr. Schiff has been playing for so long with such elegant pianism, consummate artistry and selfless dedication that it is easy to take him for granted." Schiff is a native of Hungary and has recorded for ECM since 1997
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| Customer Reviews:
 Andras Schiff defines Beethoven's piano sonatas January 5, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This review refers to the eight volumes of Andras Schiff's cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas released by ECM Records. The lay out of the volumes is as follows:
Vol 1: opp. 2 and 7
Vol 2: opp. 10 and 13
Vol 3: opp. 49, 14 and 22
Vol 4: opp. 26, 27 and 28
Vol 5: opp. 31 and 53
Vol 6: opp. 54, 57, 78, 79 and 81a
Vol 7: opp. 90, 101 and 106
Vol 8: opp. 109, 110 and 111
All recordings except those on the last volume are of live performances (from 2004 to 2006) in the Tonhalle Zurich in front of a very quiet audience. No coughing between movements, no applause at the end, and hardly any noise at all during performances. The last volume was recorded in the empty hall of the Reitstadel in Neumarkt, Germany. The sound quality is superb throughout. The separation of the channels is done so that you have the higher notes, located on the right hand side of the keyboard, in the right channel, and the lower notes in the left channel. Personally I find this the only acceptable way of organising piano music into a stereo recording. It gives you the impression of sitting in with the pianist.
Schiff's performances are of the highest order. He even manages to breathe new life into often-heard sonatas such as the Op 27-2, Moonlight. Pianists have not been able to agree on how to interpret Beethoven's instructions for the first movement of the Moonlight. Some, including Schiff, take Beethoven literally and push down the pedal for the entire movement (this and many other things is explained by Schiff in his Wigmore Hall lectures which are available for free download from the Guardian website). Gulda did the same in his 1950s cycle but not in his 1960s cycle. The result is mesmerising and beautiful. In addition, Schiff plays the Moonlight sonata at a slightly faster speed than what is commonly done, which makes for a fresh and contemporary take on this well-known piece.
No single cycle will probably satisfy you completely. I find much of Barenboim's playing on his 1960s cycle very odd but his performance of the Hammerklavier would follow me to a desert island. Gulda's 1960s cycle is mostly excellent (as is the sound, but one has to accentuate 'mostly' here because there are some awkward splices) but I can't think of any better way of starting your exploration of these magnificent works than by listening to Schiff's cycle. He has a sublime touch, a masterly control over his means and an artistic sensibility that will convince you that this is how Beethoven should be played. And it's all rendered in glorious sound. Highly recommendable.
 "Moonlight" sonata first movement: total disaster January 4, 2009
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Even though this CD series of the Beethoven sonatas is quite an achievement for any pianist (and what a collection this is!), this 4th volume arguably contains the worst interpretation of the first movement of the sonata op. 27/2 (Moonlight) ever recorded. What Schiff is trying to achieve with his rediculous and exaggerated pedal use in the first movement I just do not understand. Nowhere in the music is this asked for. The only possible explanation is an attempt at half-pedal technique, but even so, it is poorly done.
Schiff also gives a completely new meaning to "Adadio sostenuto". He plays it more in a "Moderato" tempo - but that I can live with.
I'm not sure if the Urtext has the line "Attacca subito il seguente" at the end of the movement, but his fermata is kept so long, there is no sign of attacca or subito in his interpretation.
The rest of the sonata is played well at least.
Schiff's Beethoven series continues in superb fashion May 27, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Andras Schiff is releasing a complete cycle of the Beethoven 32 piano sontats. This is Volume 4, featuring three of his better-known symphonies (The Op 26 "Funeral March", the Op 27 No 2 "Moonlight, and the Op 28 "Pastoral"). The sonata which steals the thunder is the Op 27 No 1 (the first of the sonatas "quasi una Fantasia").
All four sonatas are impeccably played. Schiff uses a minimum of damper pedal. He also picks up the tempo of the famous "Moonlight" first movement, while sustaining the damper pedal (at half-pedal, I think) for what seems to be the entire movement. It's a stunning effect.
I might also recommend the Schiff lectures on the 32 sonatas - check out the Guardian UK website - [...] - who generously posted the 32 lectures (delivered over two years at Wigmore Hall) on their website for free! The Schiff series is a must-have for Beethoven collectors. The performances are live and have an intensity and a flow that can be lacking in studio recordings. Schiff is a master architect, and he knows every crevice of these pieces. If you haven't discovered Schiff's Beethoven yet, this is a perfect introduction.
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