Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Op. 101 and Op. 106, 'Hammerklavier'

Advantages: Thrilling, daredevil chamber music performances from the legendary Martha Argerich and partner-in-crime Gidon Kremer.
Disadvantages: Violinist Kremer occasionally on the mannered, spastic side; only forty-three minutes of music.

...thorough introduction to Martha Argerich, you may want to read my other post (or you may not!): http://www.ciao.co.uk/BachKeyboardWorksReview5359921 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CD Notes: LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827) Sonata for Piano and Violin no. 4 in A minor, op. 23 1. (1) Presto 6’56 2. (2) Andante scherzoso più Allegretto 7’20 3. (3) Allegro molto 5’15 Sonata for Piano and Violin no. 5 in F major, op. 24 "Frühlings-Sonate" ["Spring"] 4. (1) Allegro 9’41 5. (2) Adagio molto espressivo 6’02 6. (3) Scherzo. Allegro molto 1’19 7. (4) Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo 6’34 MARTHA ARGERICH, Piano GIDON KREMER, Violin Deutsche Grammophon (P) 1987 43’23 417 787-2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Performances for comparison:) From: BEETHOVEN The Violin Sonatas ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER LAMBERT ORKIS Compact Disc 2 Sonatas op. 23 & op. 24 "Spring Sonata... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Rarely heard clarinet repertoire
Disadvantages: No other CDs to compare it with

...I confess to never having heard the music of two out of the four composers featured on this disc, I feel I have found some true gems which will inspire me to look beyond the normal confines of established clarinet repertoire. Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 129 by Charles Villiers Stanford starts with a 'matter of a fact' silky tempo that shows the listener they are going to be immersed and lullabied by the vocal quality associated with de Peyer's trademark tone and superior technique. Arnold Bax Sonata for Clarinet and Piano is delivered with a smooth yet vibrant confidence and is a true joy to the ear, the symbioses achieved by him and pianist Gwenneth Pryor is rewarding to say the least. Arthur Benjamin's 'Le Tombeau de Ravel' stands out as a comparatively modern piece and best displays de Peyer's virtuosity. I highly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Really nice music
Disadvantages: A few tracks arent as good as the others

...tracks like Nocturne in E flat, Op. 9, No. 2, Andante from Piano Concerto No. 2, Op 101 and A Leopard's Lullaby, the rest of the tracks are amazing, expecially Band of Brothers, Tears in Heaven and Live to Tell and these really good ones cancel out the effect of the bad ones. It's a good CD to have playing as background music and is really calming - I like to have it playing while reading or doing homeworks as it is nive calming music that doesnt really divert your attention from the work that you are doing. It was well worth the money I spent on it. Tracks include: 1. Band of Brothers 2. Adagio Cantabile from Sonate 'Pathétique' 3 Tears in Heaven 4. Clair de Lune 5. Live to Tell 6. Touch her soft lips and part 7. Fragile 8. Aria from the Goldberg Variations 9. Gnossienne No.1 in F Minor 10. I Still Haven't Found What I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful