Haydn: Complete Piano Sonatas

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...Lief Ove Andsnes predeeded his highly acclaimed recording of three Haydn piano concertos with this delightful recording of five piano sonatas, also available on EMI. They are the sonatas 24, 30, 32, 33 and 44. They are not very long in duration, but they have spikey wit, charm and are cheerful. Andsnes brings them off brilliantly. His judgement of tempo and pedalling makes these a joy to hear. He is supported by a warm but very clear recording. The piano tone is realistic and should be joy to all who love the piano. A highlight recording of 1999.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Exciting and moving performance, fine singers, orchestra and conductor
Disadvantages: None really

...-excited exuberance of a puppy that has treed its first cat! Background: Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) enjoyed a prolific and highly successful career composing in a wide variety of genres from opera to piano sonatas and is widely regarded to have fine-tuned the Classical Style in his string quartets and symphonies. When Haydn started composing "Die Schoepfung" (The Creation in English) in 1786 he had returned to Vienna after a highly successful time in England where his music was feted by everyone from the King downwards. He was now at the height of his powers, with a doctorate from Oxford University in his pocket and was certainly very aware of the commercial value of his music having made a substantial amount of money in England. From the copious archived documentation, we can read that Haydn felt there was nothing more he could say... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

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.

...piece, in my unenlightened hierarchy of classical music preferences. To me, the performers are having more fun than the listeners (me, specifically) when it comes to chamber music. Well, leave it to Martha to upset another bias of mine. Here she teams up with her good friend, Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer, to play a couple of sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). (The CD represents only part of their recordings of Beethoven’s sonata cycle for piano and violin.) Once again, Argerich’s formidable talent is in full display. Violinist Kremer, a frequent chamber music partner of hers, proves an able and equal partner. The Sonatas for Piano and Violin. The works on review are the Sonata no. 4 in A minor, and the Sonata no. 5 in F major ("Frühlings-Sonate" ["Spring"]) for Piano and Violin. For comparison, I chose the Anne... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful