Brendel: Beethoven Piano Sonatas & Concertos

Alfred Brendel: piano, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5 (complete) / Piano Sonatas Nos. 1-32 (Complete) / Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80 / Andante Favori in F, Wo057

Wholenote Discoveries - May 2011
Alfred Brendel has retired from the concert stage, although we very recently heard him in Toronto’s Koerner Hall expounding on Beethoven’s humour in music, a favourite subject of his. His interpretations of Beethoven, recorded and re-recorded, continue to attract music lovers everywhere. Decca has re-packaged his Philips recordings made between 1970 and 1977 of the complete piano sonatas and the piano concertos. Many regard his interpretations of Beethoven during this period as the most interesting, his recordings garnering favourable reviews in a crowded field. As did, and do, the concertos with Bernard Haitink and the London Philharmonic Orchestra recorded when he was their principal conductor. The new set of 12 CDs costs less than the price of 3 discs when they were first issued. A second ultra-budget Brendel set from Decca is an all Schubert collection of the late piano sonatas, the Impromptus, the Wanderer Fantasy, the 16 German Dances and other gems recorded by Philips in 1987 and 1988 (7 CDs). As in the Beethoven performances above, Brendel is also competing with his own earlier recordings. Collectors, of course, enjoy comparing performances while others simply want one good recording of a work. These polished, finely shaded performances reflect Brendel’s mature thoughts on this repertoire, excellently recorded. Bruce Surtees

As Alfred Brendel celebrates his 80th birthday on 5 January 2011, Decca is marking this momentous occasion with FOUR major catalogue releases. He’s a legend of the piano world, revered and applauded the world over. For long an exclusive Philips Classics artist, Alfred Brendel is the recipient of the 2010 Gramophone Lifetime Achievement Award. Famed for his peerless interpretations of Viennese classics, 2011 sees Brendel celebrate his 80th birthday and for it we present four iconic sets – available at budget price for the first time.
This stunning collection of Beethoven’s entire Piano works, is a Beethoven and Brendel fan must -have. Brendel’s Beethoven is represented by his analogue traversal (1970 – 77) of the 32 Piano Sonatas and the 5 Piano Concertos, long unavailable and including the Choral fantasia [with LPO/Haitink, recorded 1976-77] and now packaged as a cap box.

Price: $52.98