Schnabel & Rodzinsky: A Mozart Festival

On this CD:

1. Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by New York Philharmonic with Artur Schnabel
Conducted by Artur Rodzinski

2. Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major ("Eine kleine Nachtmusik"), K. 525
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by New York Philharmonic
Conducted by Artur Rodzinski

3. Symphony No. 35 in D major ("Haffner"), K. 385
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by New York Philharmonic
Conducted by Artur Rodzinski

Schnabel & Rodzinsky: A Mozart Festival, Music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic, Artur Schnabel, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Music, Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento, Classical Period Symphony, Concerto, Orchestral, Piano Concerto, Symphonic

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas [Germany]
Average customer rating:

Great Performances, Nice Price!

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas [Germany]
Artur Schnabel
Manufacturer: Documents
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos

Milstein (4CD Set)

ASIN: B000AAVCYS
Release Date: 2006-05-04

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 1 In F Minor
Piano Sonata No. 2 In A Major
Piano Sonata No. 3 In C Major
Piano Sonata No. 4 In E Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 5 In C Minor
Piano Sonata No. 6 In F Major
Piano Sonata No. 7 In D Major
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, "Pathetique"
Piano Sonata No. 9 In E Major
Piano Sonata No. 10 In G Major
Piano Sonata No. 11 In B Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 12 In A Flat Major "Funeral March"
Piano Sonata No. 13 In E Flat Major "Quasi Una Fantasia"
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor "Moonlight"
Piano Sonata No. 15 In D Major "Pastoral"
Piano Sonata No. 16 In G Major
Piano Sonata No. 17 In D Minor "Tempest"
Piano Sonata No. 18 In E Flat Major "The Hunt"
Piano Sonata No. 19 In G Minor
Piano Sonata No. 20 In G Major
Piano Sonata No. 21 In C Major "Waldstein"
Piano Sonata No. 22 In F Major
Piano Sonata No. 23 In F Minor "Appassionata"
Piano Sonata No. 24 In F Sharp Major "A The"
Piano Sonata No. 25 In G Major "Cuckoo"
Piano Sonata No. 26 In E Flat Major "Les Adieux/Lebewohl"
Piano Sonata No. 27 In E Minor
Piano Sonata No. 28 In A Major
Piano Sonata No. 29 In B Flat Major "Hammerklavier"
Piano Sonata No. 30 In E Major
Piano Sonata No. 31 In A Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 32 In C Minor

Customer Reviews:

Great Performances, Nice Price!.......2006-12-17

I was fairly familiar with the performance style of Artur Schnabel (1882-1951) prior to purchasing this recording. My small collection included his Schubert impromptus and several sonatas, a few Mozart concertos, the Brahms piano concerto #1 with Szell, and assorted Bach pieces. Others have waxed eloquently elsewhere about the aspects of his playing, so I will let you read their lengthy comments. Better yet, just LISTEN to some Schnabel, if you haven't already!

Although I can't really do it justice, I'll briefly summarize Schnabel's style. He gives a very personal interpretation of everything he plays. When you hear him, it's clearly Schnabel's Beethoven or Schnabel's Schubert or Schnabel's Brahms...not an attempt to historically recreate what the composer himself may have wanted. In a way, Schnabel is diameterically opposed to the HIP (Historically-Informed Performance) crowd.

In terms of fingering style, legato predominates over staccato to a great extent, rapid tempo changes are commonplace, and the rubato playing is stupendous. Some have commented in the past about technical deficiencies, such as slip-ups during challenging passages...I have to say that in these 1930's performances I don't hear many. If you listen to live performances towards the end of his career, you'll hear a few more botched notes.

So, he certainly isn't a Michelangeli (another pianist I respect greatly) in terms of absolute perfection of style and technique. What you get with Schnabel is an incredibly personal view of the music, persuasive and emotional in its delivery, intellectual and refined yet at the same time accessible, who plumbs the depths of a master like Beethoven like you've never heard before.

This particular collection is a reissue of the recordings Schnabel made for the English recording company HMV between the years of 1932-1935. This output initially totalled one-hundred 78 rpm records ("two-hundred sides"). It has never been out of print because of its incredible artistic value. The fact that it has continued to sell well probably hasn't hurt either! Previous incarnations have been found on Pearl, Dante, EMI, and now, Naxos Historical. I won't claim that this issue from Membran Music/Documents, apparently a German company, is better in sound quality than the others. In fact, I'd probably appreciate a little less noise reduction and more hiss, so I could appreciate the piano's tonal quality a bit more (hence, the 4 stars). However, after hearing the first of these discs, I can tell you that they are eminently listenable. Obviously, this ain't the digitally-recorded sound of Yevgeny Kissin playing in Carnegie Hall, but you can appreciate full-force the artistic genius of Schnabel.

I highly recommend this set, which is currently going for the ridiculously-low price (although I hope it stays that way...) of $16.99 for 10 CD's. Anyone who wants to hear the apex of Classical piano playing should give it a try.

Best regards, and Happy Holidays,

Adam

Saint-Saëns: Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12; Messe, Op. 4 [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Saint-Saëns: Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12; Messe, Op. 4 [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Cantate
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Respighi: Laud to the Nativity; Monteverdi: Magnificat

ASIN: B000CEWWAU
Release Date: 2005-12-20

Arthur Schnabel: The Complete Schubert Recordings 1932-1950

Average customer rating:

Arthur Schnabel: The Complete Schubert Recordings 1932-1950

Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present

ASIN: B000C6NO0U
Release Date: 2006-01-01

Tracks:

No. 1 In C Minor
No. 2 In E Flat
No. 3 In G Flat
No. 4 In A Flat
No. 1 In F Minor
No. 2 In A Flat
No. 3 In B Flat
No. 4 In F Minor
Allegretto In C Minor, D.915
March In E, D.606

Tracks:

No. 1 In C
No. 2 In A Flat
No. 3 In F Minor
No. 4 In C Sharp Minor
No. 5 In F Minor
No. 6 In A Flat
Allegro
Andantino
Scherzo (Allegro Vivace)
Rondo (Allegretto)

Tracks:

Allegro
Andantino
Scherzo (Allegro Vivace)
Rondo (Allegretto)
Molto Moderato
Andante Sostenuto
Scherzo (Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza)
Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

Allegro Vivace
Andante
Scherzo (Presto) And Trio
Andantino
Finale (Allegro Giusto)
Der Doppelganger (No. 13 From 'Schwanengesang', D.957)
Die Stadt (No. 11 From 'Schwanengesang', D.957)
Gruppe Aus Dem Tartarus, Op. 24, No. 1, D.583
Der Kreuzzug, D.932
An Die Laute, Op. 81, No. 2, D.905
Der Musensohn, Op. 92, No. 1, D.764
Erlkonig, Op. 1, D.328
No. 1 In D
No. 2 In G
No. 3 In E Flat

Tracks:

Andante
Marcia (Andante Con Moto)
Allegretto
March In G Minor, Op. 40, D.819 No. 2
March In B Minor, Op. 40, D.819 No. 3
Andantino Varie In B Minor, Op. 84, D.823
Allegro In A Minor ('Lebenssturme') Op. Posth. 144, D.947
Rondo In A, op. 107, D.951

Artur Schnabel Plays Mozart: The Complete EMI recordings

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Artur Schnabel Plays Mozart: The Complete EMI recordings

Manufacturer: Music and Arts Programs of America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Arthur Schnabel: The Complete Schubert Recordings 1932-1950

ASIN: B000M5B3NQ
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Product Description

The Complete Emi Recordings, with additional live performances. Restoration: Kit Higginson, Notes Farhan Malik

Artur Schnabel: String Quartet No. 5; Piano Trio; Seven Piano Pieces

Average customer rating:

Schnabel's Music, 3 stars; Performances, 5 stars

Artur Schnabel: String Quartet No. 5; Piano Trio; Seven Piano Pieces

Manufacturer: Cpo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schnabel: Symphony No.1/Symphony No.3

ASIN: B0007ACVNC
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Customer Reviews:

Schnabel's Music, 3 stars; Performances, 5 stars.......2005-07-17

"You will never be a pianist; you are a musician," -- Theodor Leschetizky to Artur Schnabel

"Tell me, are you really the Schnabel who wrote that terrible piece I heard in Venice?" -- Arturo Toscanini to Artur Schnabel

Known, of course, for his interpretation of the Beethoven and Schubert piano sonatas, as well as his peerless printed edition of the Beethoven scores, Schnabel was an indefatigable composer whose works never received much attention. Few of them were ever published. It was well-known, from the performances some of these works did have, that they were written in a knotty style similar to that of the members of the Second Viennese School--Schoenberg, Berg and Webern. His compositions include three symphonies, five string quartets, a piano concerto written when he was only nineteen, many songs and piano pieces, a piano trio, and his last composition, a duodecimet for strings, wind and percussion. Included here are his last quartet, Seven Piano Pieces and the Piano Trio.

The Fifth Quartet, written in Colorado in 1940, was premièred by the Galimir Quartet in New York the next year, and it was broadcast (and recorded) by NBC. Another performance by the Juilliard Quartet was recorded in 1952. I have heard neither of those recordings. This recording by the Pellegrini Quartet, which specializes in contemporary music, was made in Cologne in 2002. From the sound of it they are a very fine group. It is my duty to report, though, that although one can admire the Schnabel quartet for its tight construction, it is a tough nut to crack. One can hear overwrought hyperchromaticism reminiscent of Berg, but without Berg's charm, as well as Webernian use of silence as a musical element. But until the dancelike fourth movement this quartet simply did not speak to me. The fourth movement, though, keeps one's interest primarily via its rhythmic drive.

The Piano Trio (1945) seems to have tendency towards tonality, at least a times. The second movement, Larghetto, makes use of tight canonic writing of the Bergian sort. The third and last movement, Moderato ed energico, is the most interesting of the three. The piano trio texture makes it easier to follow the trio's musical argument and the performance by members of the Ravinia Trio, plus pianist Benedikt Koehlen, is terrific.

The final work is 'Seven Piano Pieces' (1946/47) played by Koehlen. These are aphoristic miniatures -- seven pieces lasting a total of 13 minutes -- spare, astringent, often using silence as a building block. Slow and fast movements alternate with the slow movements getting slower and slower as the fast movements get faster and faster. The seventh piece is a sort of epilogue. I found more to enjoy in these pieces than in the earlier works and Koehlen's playing is a delight.

Recorded sound is quite good.

TT=62:17

Scott Morrison

Schnabel: Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas 8CD

Average customer rating:

The playing is the voice of Beethovan
An excellent incarnation of classic recordings

Schnabel: Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas 8CD

Manufacturer: Forum Regis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Babel

ASIN: B0000V86PA
Release Date: 2003-10-13

Album Description

Artur Schnabel
Complete Piano Sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven
8CD set

Customer Reviews:

The playing is the voice of Beethovan.......2007-02-12

More technically immaculate versions are available, but none convey to you the spirit and temperament of Beethovan as Schnabel did. The slow movements eclipse all those from other players. Any music lover who really wants to know what Beethovan is like must listen to this. As Beethovan's famous saying : " from the heart, it goes to the heart ".

An excellent incarnation of classic recordings.......2005-01-07

Artur Schnabel's seminal interpretations of the Beethoven piano sonatas, recorded between 1932 and 1935, are among the unquestionable classic recordings in the record history. Opinions divide, however, regarding Schnabel's mastery. From a technical point of view, his interpretations are not always clinically accurate. But whatever Schnabel lacks in technical brilliance, his interpretations are perfectly balanced, thoughtful, and moving. If one just wants one set with Beethoven's sonatas, this classic set deserves a serious consideration.

The present Regis incarnation of the old 78s submits Schnabel's interpretations in a clear sound that is remarkably fresh. I have not heard the HMV version, which often is blamed for its bad sound. The monophonic sound in this set, however, is nothing but excellent despite the considerable age of the original recordings.

The only oddity is that Regis has made the pauses between each sonata incredibly short - for economical reasons I suppose. Now the complete sonatas fit on 8 cds in a very slim package. That should of course not prevent you from grabbing this fine set.

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 21 'Waldstein', 22, 23 'Appassionata', 24, 25, 27 & 30-32

Average customer rating:

great compilation, vividly played
Dull sound in these reissues

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 21 'Waldstein', 22, 23 'Appassionata', 24, 25, 27 & 30-32

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002VEPNK
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

I: Allegro Con Brio
II: Introduzione (Adagio Molto)
III: Rondo (Allegretto Moderato - Prestissimo)
I: In Tempo D'un Menuetto
II: Allegretto
I: Allegro Assai
II: Andante Con Moto
III: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Presto
I: Adagio Cantabile - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
II: Allegro Assai
I: Presto Alla Tedesca
II: Andante Espressivo
III: Vivace

Tracks:

I: Con Vivacita E Sempre Con Sentimento E Espressione
II: Allegretto Ma Non Troppo E Cantabile
I: Vivace Ma Non Troppo - Adagio Expressivo
II: Prestissimo
III: Tema (Andante Molto Cantabile Ed Espressivo) - Variazioni I-VI
I: Moderato Cantabile, Molto Espressivo
II: Allegro Molto
III: Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Fuga (Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
I: Maestoso - Allegro Con Brio Ed Appassionato
II: Arietta (Adagio Molto Semplice E Cantabile)

Customer Reviews:

great compilation, vividly played.......2006-01-02

a great, great compilation. why??
1) sound. yes, it was recorded in 1930s, so not everything is so clear but unless you are too demanding in sound quality the sound is very acceptable (for my taste at least) and, most important, luckily EMI almost completely deleted any trace of "hiss" (which I find unbearable even with better and clearer piano sound).
2) pianist: Schnabel, as far as I read, is a legend, at least in LvB piano sonatas. They are vividly played, with appropiate "elastic" tempi (a similar effect in past conductors, look at my review of Brahms symphonies by Jochum, with a similar "flexible" approach). Also there is a lot of virtuosism. The only problem I find is in Appasionata, specifically in its last mov: too, too, too fast, with no time to "savour" the notes and with very important "forte" notes (they are climaxes indeed) strangely played "piano" so their effect is completely lost. Yes, it sounds like a twister, a storm but misconceived. the rest of the CDs is played with a near perfect approach. Maybe there are techical problems (I am not a pianist, that is what i read) but the conception is always OK (except for 3rd mov op 57, as i said).
3) works. To begin with Beethoven some "early" famous works are always wellcome eg Pathetique and Moonlight. They are absent here, because the aim here is to present the middle and late periods from the piano sonata point of view.
-In the late period, you can in 1 CD include hammerklavier and some other, or the last tryptic, the solution found here (together with sonata 27). To play together the last 3 sonatas makes one see them as a group and to find out relations eg sonata 30 and 32 (the corners of the 3) end with variations. I like them very much, specially the sonata 32.
-In the middle period you have the works in the 1st CD. Favourites are Waldstein and op 57, yes (perhaps the 2 most important sonatas of LvB, at least from the most popular). So are the sonatas 22, 24 & 25 simply fillers ???? Definitely NOT!!! They are quite complemetary to the 2 famous already cited: nº 22 has a minuet, but a middle period minuet, which is far advanced than the "early style" minuets. And has a toccata mov which sometimes makes me remember Schumann. Nº 78 has one of the most lovely movs ever created by the composer, and should be better known. The last mov is quite complementary. And Nº 25? A surprising and charming work. Sounds too Mozartian (the brief K 545 was a model?), but never he goes back in style to his earlier period. It has 3 movs (wonderfull all 3 !!!) and all played, with complete repeats, in less than 9 minutes !!! Clearly an essay on how to compose a full (for the quality and diversity of the ideas) "brief" sonata.
please, try this compilation. you won`t regret.

Dull sound in these reissues.......2005-11-07

I had high hopes for this reissue of the magical recordings by Schnabel of the Beethoven sonatas. The engineers did an admirable job of reducing the surface noise from the 78 rpm disks. But they took out the sparkle from the keys that can be heard on the "Schnabel Plays Beethoven" Pearl editions of these recordings, or the "Beethoven: Piano Works" Naxos editions.

Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Recording Quality
A shocker

Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Classica D'oro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116

ASIN: B00005REUP
Release Date: 2001-12-11

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.1 In F Minor, Op.2 No.1: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.1 In F Minor, Op.2 No.1: Adagio
Piano Sonata No.1 In F Minor, Op.2 No.1: Menuetto
Piano Sonata No.1 In F Minor, Op.2 No.1: Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No.5 In C Minor, Op.10 No.1: Allegro Molto E Con Brio
Piano Sonata No.5 In C Minor, Op.10 No.1: Adagio Molto
Piano Sonata No.5 In C Minor, Op.10 No.1: Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.6 In F, Op.10 No.2: Presto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: Presto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: Largo E Mesto
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: Menuetto: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.7 In D, Op.10 No.3: Allegro

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.2 In A, Op.2 No.2: Allegro Vivace
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: Largo Appassionato
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: Scherzo: Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: Rondo: Grazioso
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: Allegro Con Brio
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: Adagio
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: Scherzo: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.3 In C, Op.2 No.3: Allegro Assai
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: Allegro Molto E Con Brio
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: Largo, Con Grande Espressione
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: ALlegro
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, Op.7: Rondo: Poco Allegretto E Grazioso

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.8 In C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': Grave-Allego Molto E Con Brio
Piano Sonata No.8 In C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': Adagio Cantabile
Piano Sonata No.8 In C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': Rondo: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.1: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.1: Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.1: Rondo: Allegro Comodo
Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: Andante
Piano Sonata No.10 In G, Op.14 No.2: Scherzo: Allegro Assai
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: Andante Con Variazioni
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: Scherzo: Allegro Molto
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: Marcia Funebre: Andante Maestoso
Piano Sonata No.12 In A Flat, Op.26: Allegro

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: Allegro Con Brio
Adagio Con Molta Espressione
Piano Sonata No.2 In A, Op.2 No.2: Rondo: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.9 In E, Op.14 No.1: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1 'Quasi Una Fantasia': Andante-Allegro-Andante
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1 'Quasi Una Fantasia': Allegro Molto E Vivace
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1 'Quasi Una Fantasia': Adagio Con Espressione
Piano Sonata No.13 In E Flat, Op.27 No.1 'Quasi Una Fantasia': Allegro Vivace
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': Adagio Sostenuto
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': Presto Agitato
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': Allegro
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': Andante
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Piano Sonata No.15 In D, Op.28 'Pastorale': Rondo: Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.20 In G, Op.49 No.2: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Piano Sonata No.20 In G, Op.49 No.2: Tempo Di Menuetto
Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: Allegro Vivace
Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: Adagio Grazioso
Piano Sonata No.16 In G, Op.31 No.1: Rondo: Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'The Tempest': Largo-Allegro
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'The Tempest': Adagio
Piano Sonata No.17 In D Minor, Op.31 No.2 'The Tempest': Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: Scherzo: Allegretto Vivace
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: Menuetto: Moderato E Grazioso
Piano Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: Presto Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.19 In G Minor, Op.49 No.1: Andante
Piano Sonata No.19 In G Minor, Op.49 No.1: Rondo: Allegro
Piano Sonata No.21 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Allegro Con Brio
Piano Sonata No.21 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Adagio Molto
Piano Sonata No.21 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Rondo: Allegro Moderato
Piano Sonata No.22 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': In Tempo D'Un Menuetto
Piano Sonata No.22 In C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Allegretto
Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': Allegro Assai
Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': Andante Con Moto
Piano Sonata No.23 In F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata': Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Adagio-Allegro
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Andante Espressivo
Piano Sonata No.26 In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Vivacissimamente

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78: Adagio Cantabile-Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Piano Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78: Allegro Vivace
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: Presto Alla Tedesca
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: Andante
Piano Sonata No.25 In G, Op.79: Vivace
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: Etwas Lebhaft Und Mit Der Innigsten Empfindung
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: Lebhaft, Marschmassig
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: Lagsam Und Sehnsuchtsvoll
Piano Sonata No.28 In A, Op.101: Geschwind, Doch Nicht Zu Sehr Und Mit Entschlossenheit
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': Allegro
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': Adagio E Sostenuto
Piano Sonata No.29 In B Flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': Finale: Largo-Allegro Risoluto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.27 In E Minor, Op.90: Mit Lebhaftigkeit Und Durchaus Mit Empfindung Und Ausdruck
Piano Sonata No.27 In E Minor, Op.90: Nicht Zu Geschwind Und Sehr Singbar Vorgetragen
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: Vivace Ma Non Troppo
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: Gesangvoll, Mit Innigster Empfindung
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: Moderato Cantabile, Molto Espressivo
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: Allegro Molto
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Piano Sonata No.30 In E, Op.109: Fuga: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Piano Sonata No.32 In C Minor, Op.111: Maestoso-Allegro Con BrioE Appassionato
Piano Sonata No.32 In C Minor, Op.111: Arietta: Adagio Molto, Semplice E Cantabile

Customer Reviews:

Recording Quality.......2004-08-05

The CD set is an excellent historical audio documentation of Schnabel's virtuosity. I was disapointed in the quality of the recording. I suppose I am spoiled with new technology but this is a great performance recorded on a CD with vinyl record technology in the 1930's, which it is. I have heard the Sonata cycle on the BBC Online archives by a Spanish pianist. The sound quality was much better via the web.

A shocker.......2004-07-03

This set actually came to me as a mistake, but at $50, there wasn't really any question as to whether I should keep it or not. I expected the sound quality to be horrible, the playing sloppy (characteristic to Schnabel), and the interpretations to be too rowdy for me.

These sonatas were recorded throughout the 1930's, but I will not lie, you can absolutely not tell at all. There is no hiss, only a rather beautifully played piano.

Schnabel keeps sonatas 1-27 crisp, clean and clear. The interpretations seem perfect, despite a few oddly chosen tempi. The late sonatas, I can not say the same. I am especially thrown over the edge by no. 28's fourth movement. The fantastic melody, one of my favorites, is ruined by Schnabel's playing. Also, in the Hammerklavier, the opening four bars are rubbish.

Other than those two mistakes (in my opinion), this set is one of the best money can buy, and worlds ahead of any other complete set for only $50. The beauty of his playing is astounding, and the remastering is a stroke of genius.

If you are looking desperately for the proper Beethoven piano sonata set, as I was for months, this is the one. I also looked into Wilhelm Kempff's, Alfred Brendel's, Richard Goode's, Daniel Barenboim's and Anton Kuerti's.

Tracks:

No. 1 In C Minor
No. 2 In E Flat Major
No. 3 In G Flat Major
No. 4 In A Flat Major
No. 1 In F Minor
No. 2 In A Flat Major
No. 3 In B Flat Major
No. 4 In F Minor
Allegretto In C Minor D915

Customer Reviews:

Schnabel's final recordings.......2007-05-14

Made less than a year before his death,these are great pianists final recordings.There were plans for others,but for some reason,they never materialised.It is equaly depressing to know that none of his last concerts were recorded.But what we do have of his interpretations is,in my opinion,more than enough for a claim that he was the gratest pianist of the last century.
These recordings of Impromptus are rather well known,and justly called the definitive,so I will not bother the fellow Schnabel enthousiast with any aditional(though,well deserved)praise.Few words about this edition,though.
It must be said that the transfer issued by Music and Arts as a part of their box-set of Schnabel's complete Schubert recordings does sound better.Remastered by Mark Obert Thorn,well known for his efforts on Schnabel's recordings issued recently by Naxos,they are a great improvement over this 2005.EMI disc.Still,the transfer on this CD is certainly not bad,it has been made from the original tapes(which,unfortunately,do show some traces of deterioration compared with the transfer done for the late '80. edition of these recordings)and is certainly a better buy if you want the Impromptus only.But for those interested in the entire Schnabel's Schubert output,go for the Music and Arts set(five discs priced as four).

Amazing musicianship.......2006-10-13

Simply put, there have been a lot of great pianists over the years, but none was greater than Artur Schnabel. His interpretations have a depth that has not been exceeded. This rerelease of his recordings of the Schubert Impromptus is a perfect example. He had the remarkable ability to play Schubert with dynamism and intensity while maintaining the lyrical, dreamy quality that is esential to Schubert's music.
Two points to consider before buying this disk. The original recordings were made during the 1930s and 1940s, and the sound quality is poor by modern standards. Second, there are a few wrong notes. Sound editing was impossible in those days, and Schnabel felt that conveying the essence of the music was more important that technical perfection. So he sometimes went with takes that were technically imperfect. These occassional slips are not the result of technical inadequacies on his part, but rather because he had to take big chances when he played in order to convey what he wanted to convey. (The best example of this is his notorious recording of Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata, which is rife with finger slips, but is nevertheless the greatest recording that this work has ever received -- Schnabel was the only pianist with the guts and brains to play the piece at close to Beethoven's breakneck metronome markings.) So he sometimes refused to re-record a piece if he thought that the possible technical improvement would be at the cost of a performance that was less emotional. However, neither of these points should deter anyone from buying this amazing disk. The quality of the intepretations is mesmerizing and you will quickly learn to overlook the archaic sound and occassional slips of the finger.
After you listen to this recording a few times, you won't be able to listen to anyone else's recording of the Impromptus.

Bach: Chromatic Fantasy & Fugue, etc / Schnabel, Boult, et al

Average customer rating:

A solid connection to the past

Bach: Chromatic Fantasy & Fugue, etc / Schnabel, Boult, et al

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00002DDVB
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Prelude and Fugue in D BWV 850 (The Well-Tempered Clavier, No.5): Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in D BWV 850 (The Well-Tempered Clavier, No.5): Fugue
Chromatic Fantasia And Fugue In D Minor BWV 903: Fantasia
Chromatic Fantasia And Fugue In D Minor BWV 903: Fugue
Italian Concerto: I: Allegro giusto
Italian Concerto: II: Andante
Italian Concerto: III: Presto
Toccata in C minor: Introduction- Adagio
Toccata in C minor: Fugue I (Allegro)- Adagio
Toccata in C minor: Fugue II (Allegro)
Toccata in D: Introduction (Presto)- Allegro
Toccata in D: Adagio- Fugato- Adagio
Toccata in D: Fugue (Presto)
Concerto No.2 in C for two pianos BWV 1061: I: Allegro
Concerto No.2 in C for two pianos BWV 1061: II: Adagio ovvero Largo
Concerto No.2 in C for two pianos BWV 1061: III: Fuga

Customer Reviews:

A solid connection to the past.......2000-07-27

Although Schnabel was probably best known in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s as an interpreter of Beethoven, his recordings of Bach were probably more radical. This CD is an issue of recordings made in the mid-1930s and Schnabel's last recording before his death in 1951. The playing on this CD rivals the "modern" recordings of Bach by Glenn Gould and Keith Jarret.

Some musicologists have suggested that some of these works, such as Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D minor were written by Bach as "theoritical" pieces only, not intented to actually be played. At the time when Bach wrote them there was probably no single instrument capable of matching the difficulty of Bach's composition. However, the modern piano is fully capable of meeting the demands of Bach, especially under the hands of a master such as Schnabel. This CD also contains the only, to my knowledge, recording of Artur Schnabel with his son, Ulich, with whom he traveled and preformed in the 1930s. I highly recommend this CD for anyone who appreciates the complex music of Bach.

By the way, the reason I gave this only 4 stars is because the quality of the CD is a bit lacking. A surprise for me since this came from EMI Classics. It isn't really a problem and you shouldn't let it put you off.

Music Review:

Music Review

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