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Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Vol. 5 (Opp. 31 and 53) | 
 enlarge | Creators: Ludwig Van Beethoven, Andras Schiff
Label: Ecm Records
Category: Music
List Price: $25.98
Buy New: $18.38
You Save: $7.60 (29%)
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Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 60017
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 000966002
UPC: 028947661863
EAN: 0028947661863
ASIN: B000TLPW5I
Release Date: September 25, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
| • | Allegro vivace | | • | Adagio grazioso | | • | Rondo. Allegretto | | • | Largo - Allegro | | • | Adagio | | • | Allegretto | | • | Allegro | | • | Scherzo. Allegretto vivace | | • | Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso | | • | Presto con fuoco |
Disc 2
| • | Allegro con brio | | • | Introduzione. Adagio molto | | • | Rondo. Allegretto moderato |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
The release of the fifth volume of Andras Schiff's complete recordings of the Beethoven piano sonatas marks the start of an incredible musical journey for Mr. Schiff, and his USA concert audiences. On October 3rd, Schiff begins a twoseason tour running through Spring 2009 during which he will perform all 32 sonatas (in chronological order) in four cities: New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Ann Arbor. The sonatas on Volume V, from Beethoven's so called "middle period" (the first years of the 19th century), include the famed "Waldstein" - Sonata No. 21 C major op. 53. Also included is the original slow movement from the "Waldstein," the "Andante favori," which Beethoven later dismissed out of formal considerations. Whether performing Bach, Beethoven, Janacek or Mozart, 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." The upcoming Beethoven cycle will surely remind people not to! Andras Schiff is a native of Hungary and has recorded for ECM since 1997.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Andras Schiff defines Beethoven's piano sonatas January 5, 2009
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.
 A pallid 'Waldstein' caps an unexciting Beethoven collection -- but others will rave September 19, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Andras Schiff has garnered mostly raves for his entire career, and for most of that career he has either bored me with his clipped, detached style or driven me away with chilly aloofness. His Beethoven manages to combine the worst of thse traits. He's clipped, punchy, anti-romantic, and detached. Yet the New York Times praises Schiff's "elegant pianism, consummate artistry and selfless dedication. " Selfless? What in the world does that even mean? In any event, Schiff has won a place in the top echelon of pianists -- in other words, he's found his audience -- and unbelievers are free to stay away.
In Vol. 5 of his complete Beethoven cycle, he has plenty of ideas, and the critics, I imagine, will either love or hate it. The main attraction is the Waldstein Sonta Op. 53, the most ambitious middle period sonata after the Appassionata. But you'd never know it from Schiff's straight-aead, no-nonsense performance. Setting a basic tempo and chopping away does the first movement no favors. The brief Introduzione to the third movement lacks mystery, although schiff has enough touch in this delicate, spare music. The Allegretto that follows is slow to the point of sounding flat-footed, and the same placid sluggishness continues into the finale. If you want to hear imaginaiton and vitality from a modern pianist, listen to Pletnev's live Waldstein on his Carnegie Hall recital (DG).
In sum, Schiff's Beethoven gave me no pleasure, despite all those critical encomiums.
Shiff Continues to Thrill July 2, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Andras Schiff continues to thrill with his Beethoven Piano Sonata cycle. His lecture series on these works on the Guardian UK website explains the philosophy behind this cycle. More Urtext. Less affectation. His Op 31 is illuminating. There is something so opulent in Schiff's austerity - it is as though he strips the pieces down to their inner beauty. The Andante Favori encore of the Waldstein is a true bonus.
 Schiff's free Beethoven sonata lectures March 25, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Don't miss Andras Schiff's excellent lectures about Beethoven's sonatas. The perfect accompaniment for this cycle, available for free from the Guardian UK website (google: schiff guardian uk).
Beethoven Piano Sonatas Opera 31 and 53 - for the Millenium March 25, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
A recording in the series of all Beethoven Sonatas by Andras Schiff, the current authority both through his extensive scholarship on this subject as well as his dynamic and insightful performances. Impressive are his assured use of the enormous Beethoven intended tempi, off-set by his frequently employed non-legato style, followed by lyrical development sections and dramatic interjections. The almost orchestral passages are played revering the majestic. This series will be the Beethoven Sonata series for the Millenium. Largo con gran expressione!
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