Wilhelm kempff, a german pianist esteemed for his lucid, searching interpretations of romantic repertory, died on thursday at his home in positano, italy. Beethoven, wilhelm backhaus the piano sonatas discogs. This is a compilation of beethoven s best known sonatas, so unless youre a huge fan this should do the trick. May 20, 2009 wilhelm backhaus i mono 1950 1954 decca this first beethoven cycle mono of wilhelm backhaus has long been a classic, and as is typical for mono cycles that are out of print, it is often regarded as superior to his later stereo cycle. The booklet notes have been written by the distinguished musicologist and writer bernard jacobson, who draws comparisons through backhaus s playing of the schubert impromptu in b flat major and beethoven s earlier sonata op. Backhaus penchant for architecture, clarity, and iron technique serve these final essays in beethovens piano ouvre very well indeed. It consists of the complete piano sonatas recorded in 195156 in very good quality mono by one of the supreme interpreters of beethoven.
One later recording in the series to be released as part of volume three. Recordings by wilhelm backhaus stream on idagio idagio. He was particularly well known for his interpretations of beethoven and romantic music such as that by brahms. The piano sonatas by wilhelm backhaus on amazon music. Wilhelm backhaus artist, performer, ludwig van beethoven composer format. Apr 12, 2018 for many collectors in the 1960s, the budget priced vox turnabout lps of the beethoven sonatas and concertos were a revelation, and introduced an amazing young talent to the public. Stream adfree or purchase cds and mp3s now on amazon. Although wilhelm backhaus beethoven ranked high among a certain generation of collectors, ive always felt his heartfelt, boldly communicative interpretations rather casual from a stylistic standpoint in regard to phrasing, dynamics, tempo, and linear motion. Wilhelm backhaus plays beethoven, piano concerto no. This disc joins together live recordings from three different wilhelm backhaus concerts. Universal japan ucgd906567 3 discs stereo single layer. He was particularly well known for his interpretations of mozart, beethoven, schumann, chopin and brahms. I like backhaus s beethoven sonatas so much that i own both the mono and stereo sets.
Although originally not intended to be a meaningful whole, as a set they compose one of the most important collections of works in the history of music. The reason i didnt give it 5 stars is because this set wasnt devouted to his mono beethoven sonatas or live recordings. Piano sonatas klaviersonaten sonates pour piano by ludwig van beethoven 21 editions published between 1960 and 20 in 5 languages and held by 556 worldcat member libraries worldwide. Wilhelm backhaus 18841969 performs beethoven s moonlight sonata, op. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. According to many critics, backhaus was one of the first modern artists of the keyboard and played with a clean, spare, and objective style. Complete your beethoven wilhelm backhaus collection. Instead i would point you toward, in no particular order and not exclusively, cycles by alfred brendel, bernard roberts, alfredo perl or paul lewis. Ludwig van beethoven, wilhelm backhaus wilhelm backhaus. I have nothing against welldone transfers of outof print lps and have a number of excellent pristine audio transfers.
Wilhelm backhauss first beethoven piano sonata cycle, recorded between 1950. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Beethoven, wilhelm backhaus complete piano sonatas. I also own the beautiful complete set by wilhelm backhaus decca, selected sonatas by arthur rubinstein rubinstein collection vol. Complete decca recordings by beethoven, ludwig van, brahms, johannes on cd. We have four sonatas, though, set down between 19271937, including the inevitable moonlight where would we be without it. Ludwig van beethoven, 32 sonate per pianoforte wilhelm backhaus. Ludwig van beethoven, 32 sonate per pianoforte wilhelm. I have little information on his 78s era recordings and decca monaural beethoven sonatas.
This boxed set was released to celebrate wilhelm kempffs 100th birthday, and it is simply gorgeous. Unfortunately, i didnt enjoy these two discs that much. Ludwig van beethoven wilhelm backhaus piano sonatas nos. Beethoven, wilhelm backhaus the piano sonatas 1989, vinyl. Wilhelm backhaus technical problems discussed the legendary german pianist wilhelm backhaus 18841969 shares his thoughts on piano technique in an interview with hariette browner, published in her book piano mastery 1915. Beethoven, wilhelm backhaus the world of the great. I was interested to read that it was hmvs original intention to enlist backhaus to record the first complete cycle of the beethoven piano sonatas. Quanto allesecuzione non credo ci sia molto da dire.
Ludwig van beethoven wrote his 32 piano sonatas between 1795 and 1822. Wilhelm backhaus piano wiener philharmoniker, hans knappertsbusch here is beethoven, viennese beethoven, under a conductor who remained impervious to all fads and fashionsthis is a species of conducting you will seek out in vain today, the set is the perfect. Wilhelm backhaus was particularly well known for his interpretations of l. Wilhelm backhaus, 1907 wilhelm backhaus bachaus on some record labels 26 march 1884 5 july 1969 1 was a german pianist and pedagogue. Wilhelm backhaus discography1 from albeniz to brahms. Whether this is actually true or not i cannot tell, as i have yet to track a copy down. Backhaus was seventyfour when he returned to the studio in 1958 to begin recording this cycle of beethoven sonatas, a multiyear project in stereo sound which. Marking 50 years since the passing of wilhelm backhaus 5 july 1969, decca brings together, for the first time, the artists complete recordings for the label new remasterings showcasing the incredible integrity of backhauss pianism. Wilhelm backhaus, beethoven sonatas nos91120 1969, vinyl. The piano sonatas by wilhelm backhaus from amazons classical music store.
Wilhelm backhaus 18841969 left a 60year recorded legacy which began in 1908, but though known particularly for beethoven and brahms in his later years, he performed a much wider repertoire before the war as seen on the companion set apr6026 and the four sonatas and two concertos included here are the totality of his early beethoven output. The torque and expansiveness on display say, in the first movement at 518 536 suggest a brucknerified beethoven. If you are in the market for a measured, considered yet not unexciting but crucially, consistent beethoven sonata cycle, then i should say at the outset that you should look elsewhere. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. On the other hand, backhauss occasional stopandlistentothis moments are not nearly as exaggerated as those of wilhelm kempff, whose beethoven sonata cycle was all the rage in the 1960s.
Indeed, as this set of the first four sonatas proceeded to play, i found myself charmed by his conception of these early sonatas. Instead, discs are taken with material such as the piano concerti that are still available on decca. Jed distler wilhelm backhaus recorded beethovens complete piano sonatas in mono for decca in the early 1950s, and with the advent of stereo he began the process anew in 1958. The disc will play perfectly without interruption and the case, inlay notes and sleeve may show limited signs of wear. The hammerklavier in this box is worth the price of the box alone. Wilhelm backhaus recorded beethovens complete piano sonatas in mono for decca in the early 1950s, and with the advent of stereo he began the process anew in 1958. Backhaus recorded all 32 of these sonatas on his beloved bosendorfer, a choice which seems perfectly matched to his style. Backhaus recording of the complete beethoven piano concertos with vposchmidtisserstedt was one of the cornerstones of the decca catalogue in the 1950s. Album beethoven 250 piano concertos 1 and 3, ludwig van. Sonatas to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover.
Our ongoing survey of piano sonatas continues with a bonus all beethoven post featuring german pianist wilhelm backhaus. Beethoven romantic music such as that by johannes brahms. Complete your beethoven, wilhelm backhaus collection. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Your item will be previously owned but still in great condition. Beethoven complete piano sonatas backhaus 475 7198 ib. He refused, and they turned to artur schanbel instead. Hans schmidtisserstedt, wilhelm backhaus, henryk szeryng. Couple this with equally reliable recordings of some choice sonatas and the diabelli variations and it becomes irresistible. It is possible to argue he uses too much rubato, but for me its not a problem. Wilhelm backhaus was born in 1884 and actually knew brahms. Listen to all recordings by wilhelm backhaus in stunning, lossless sound quality.
For many collectors in the 1960s, the budget priced vox turnabout lps of the beethoven sonatas and concertos were a revelation, and introduced an amazing young talent to the public. Piano sonatas to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. If however you want beethoven sonatas with a strong character, occasionally irritating, sometimes baffling. This discography is imperfect because my source is much restricted. The sound is bright, deep, warm, but crystal clear. Wilhelm backhaus bachaus on some record labels 26 march 1884 5 july 1969 was a german pianist and pedagogue. Wilhelm backhaus piano page 1 of 10 presto classical.
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