Mozart: Piano Sonatas, K279, K280, K282 and K284

Advantages: Classic Brendel, good sound
Disadvantages: Classic Brendel

...After having spent quite some time, both in the studio and the concert hall, concentrating exclusively on the Beethoven Piano Sonatas and Piano Concertos, Brendel, whilst always being limited to some, (not inconsiderable, it seems) extent by physical problems in and around the areas of his back and arms, is now free to explore other music avenues. This is the second disk of Brendel's Mozart with which we have been presented over the recent past; the other being his account of two of the concertos. Here we have performances of 3 of the unaccompanied sonatas. Brendel has long been considered as being a Mozartian of zest and insight. But, for me at least, his interprtations of this Master can seem a little quirky. Its as if he doesn't, in some way, relate to the personality and musical language of Mozart with quite the same success as he... Read review

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Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...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: You could become a genius
Disadvantages: But then again you might not

...According to a website I visited recently, the illustrious President of the United States, George W. Bush (otherwise known as George W. Gump) has an I.Q. of 91. That may or may not be true – if it is, I didn’t realise it was that high. Mr Bush may be interested to learn (but probably isn’t) that he could increase his intelligence quotient by several points, according to researchers, by the simple expedient of – wait for it – listening to Mozart. There are many websites devoted to what is known as The Mozart Effect, notably http://www.mozarteffect.com and you can check them out for yourself. The basic premise is that anyone exposed regularly to the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will benefit by increasing their brain-power. Actually, the music used for the research was his Sonata for Two Pianos, a delightful work that anyone can... Read review

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