Album

Performance for performance, this volume of all of Beethoven's piano music except his sonatas and concertos may be the weakest of all the 20 volumes of Deutsche Grammophon's 1997 Beethoven edition. With the often eccentric intellectuality of Anatol Ugorski, the occasionally oblivious virtuosity Mikhail Pletnev, and the almost always superficial Gianluca Cascioli, many of the performances are less than definitive. And while pianists like the noble Wilhelm Kempff, the fiery Emil Gilels, and the peculiar but powerful Olli Mustonen do turn in fabulous performances, they are set next to the less-than-fabulous performances of Ugorski, Pletnev, and Cascioli. But in the end, the quality of the performances matters less than the fact that the recordings of them exist. How many other recordings are there of all of Beethoven's sets of piano variations, his early sonatas and his four-hand sonata, his waltzes and allegrettos and allemandes and rondos and bagatelles? And of those, how many are nearly as good as these performances? And how many sound nearly as good as these superb DG recordings? The answer, of course, is none, which makes this set essential for all its flaws.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 8
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 7 Bagatelles, Op.33 Work Recorded 1997 20:43 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
1	No.1 in Eb (Andante grazioso quasi allegretto)	3:26			$0.99
2	No.2 in C (Scherzo: Allegro)	3:17			$0.99
3	No.3 in F (Allegretto)	2:11			$0.99
4	No.4 in A (Andante)	3:19			$0.99
5	No.5 in C (Allegro ma non troppo)	2:47			$0.99
6	No.6 in D (Allegretto quasi andante)	3:36			$0.99
7	No.7 in Ab (Presto)	2:07			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 11 Bagatelles, Op.119 Work Recorded 1997 17:01 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
8	No.1 in G- (Allegretto)	3:02			$0.99
9	No.2 in C (Andante con moto)	0:57			$0.49
10	No.3 in D (A l'allemande)	1:46			$0.49
11	No.4 in A (Andante cantabile)	1:41			$0.49
12	No.5 in C- (Risoluto)	1:07			$0.49
13	No.6 in G (Andante. Allegretto)	2:01			$0.99
14	No.7 in C (Allegro ma non troppo)	1:15			$0.49
15	No.8 in C (Moderato cantabile)	2:06			$0.99
16	No.9 in A- (Vivace moderato)	0:45			$0.49
17	No.10 in A (Allegramente)	0:17			$0.49
18	No.11 in Bb (Andante ma non troppo)	2:04			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Bagatelle in C-, WoO52 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
19	Bagatelle in C-, WoO52	3:56			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Allegretto in C-, WoO53 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
20	Allegretto in C-, WoO53	1:41			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Bagatelles, Op.126 Work Recorded 1991 22:23 Anatol Ugorski Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
21	No.1 in G (Andante con moto, cantabile e con piacevole)	3:56			$0.99
22	No.2 in G- (Allegro)	1:52			$0.49
23	No.3 in Eb (Andante. Cantabile ed espressivo)	4:01			$0.99
24	No.4 in B- (Presto)	4:18			$0.99
25	No.5 in G (Quasi allegretto)	2:55			$0.99
26	No.6 in Eb (Presto. Andante amabile e con moto)	5:21			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Bagatelle in A- ('Für Elise'), WoO59 Work Recorded 1991 Anatol Ugorski Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
27	Bagatelle in A- ('Für Elise'), WoO59	4:01			$0.99
CD 2 of 8
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.13 in Eb, Op.27, No.1 ('Quasi una fantasia') Work Recorded 1969 10:38 Jörg Demus Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
1	1.Andante. Allegro	3:25			$0.99
2	2.Allegro molto e vivace	4:33			$0.99
3	3.Adagio con espressione	2:40			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.23 in F-, Op.57 ('Appassionata') Work Recorded 1969 14:36 Jörg Demus Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
4	1.Allegro assai	4:31			$0.99
5	2.Andante con moto (attaca)	6:30			$0.99
6	3.Allegro ma non troppo	3:35			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 3 Piano Sonatas, WoO47 ('Electoral')...Piano Sonata in D, WoO 47, No.3 Work Recorded 1969 14:04 Jörg Demus Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
7	1.Allegro	5:16			$0.99
8	2.Rondo: Moderato	5:29			$0.99
9	3.Scherzando: Allegretto, ma non troppo	3:19			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata in F, WoO50 Work Recorded 1996 1:43 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
10	1.Allegro	1:16			$0.49
11	2.Allegretto	0:27			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.8 in C-, Op.13 ('Pathétique') Work Recorded 1996 7:34 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
12	1.Grave. Allegro di molto e con brio	4:40			$0.99
13	2.Adagio cantabile	2:54			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Allegretto in C-, WoO53 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
14	Allegretto in C-, WoO53	4:47			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piece in C/C- ('Lustig - traurig'), WoO54 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
15	Piece in C/C- ('Lustig - traurig'), WoO54	1:43			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Prelude in F-, WoO55 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
16	Prelude in F-, WoO55	3:12			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Bagatelle in Bb, WoO60 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
17	Bagatelle in Bb, WoO60	1:19			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Allegretto in B-, WoO61 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
18	Allegretto in B-, WoO61	2:04			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Allegretto quasi andante in G-, WoO61a Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
19	Allegretto quasi andante in G-, WoO61a	0:37			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Allemande in A, WoO81 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
20	Allemande in A, WoO81	1:07			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Minuet in Eb, WoO82 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
21	Minuet in Eb, WoO82	3:12			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Waltz in Eb, WoO84 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
22	Waltz in Eb, WoO84	1:47			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Waltz in D, WoO85 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
23	Waltz in D, WoO85	0:37			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Ecossaise in Eb, WoO86 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
24	Ecossaise in Eb, WoO86	0:30			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Fugue in C, Hess 64 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
25	Fugue in C, Hess 64	1:38			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Allegretto in C-, Hess69 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
26	Allegretto in C-, Hess69	2:44			$0.99
CD 3 of 8
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 2 Rondos, Op.51 Work Recorded 1997 12:53 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
1	2 Rondos, Op.51	5:12			$0.99
2	2 Rondos, Op.51	7:41			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Rondo in C, WoO48 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
3	Rondo in C, WoO48	2:09			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Rondo in A, WoO49 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
4	Rondo in A, WoO49	2:41			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Polonaise in C, Op.89 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
5	Polonaise in C, Op.89	5:51			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 9 Variations in C- on a March by Dressler, WoO63 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
6	9 Variations in C- on a March by Dressler, WoO63	7:19			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Variations in F on a Swiss Air, WoO64 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
7	6 Variations in F on a Swiss Air, WoO64	2:57			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 24 Variations on Righini's arietta 'Venni Amore,' in D, WoO65 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
8	24 Variations on Righini's arietta 'Venni Amore,' in D, WoO65	23:35			$3.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Variations in C on a Minuet from Haibel's 'Le nozze disturbate', WoO68 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
9	12 Variations in C on a Minuet from Haibel's 'Le nozze disturbate', WoO68	11:24			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Variations in G on Paisiello's Duet 'Nel cor piu non mi sento', WoO70 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
10	6 Variations in G on Paisiello's Duet 'Nel cor piu non mi sento', WoO70	4:12			$0.99
CD 4 of 8
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Fantasy in G-, Op.77 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
1	Fantasy in G-, Op.77	9:31			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Variations in D on an Original Theme, Op.76 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
2	6 Variations in D on an Original Theme, Op.76	7:08			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 13 Variations in A on Dittersdorf's Air 'Es war einmal ein alter Mann', WoO66 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
3	13 Variations in A on Dittersdorf's Air 'Es war einmal ein alter Mann', WoO66	13:29			$2.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 8 Variations in C on Grétry's air 'Une fièvre brûlante', WoO72 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
4	8 Variations in C on Grétry's air 'Une fièvre brûlante', WoO72	6:53			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 10 Variations in Bb on Salieri's Air 'La stessa, la stessissima', WoO73 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
5	10 Variations in Bb on Salieri's Air 'La stessa, la stessissima', WoO73	10:34			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 7 Variations in F on Winter's Quartet 'Kind willst du ruhig schlafen', WoO75 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
6	7 Variations in F on Winter's Quartet 'Kind willst du ruhig schlafen', WoO75	12:17			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 8 Variations in F on Sussmayr's Trio 'Tundeln und Scherzen', WoO76 Work Recorded 1997 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
7	8 Variations in F on Sussmayr's Trio 'Tundeln und Scherzen', WoO76	8:15			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Variations on an Original Theme, WoO77 Work Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
8	6 Variations on an Original Theme, WoO77	7:11			$1.49
CD 5 of 8
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Variations in F on an Original Theme, Op.34 Work Recorded 1997 12:53 Wilhelm Kempff Piano, Emil Grigoryevich Gilels Piano
1	Thema. Adagio. Cantabile	1:40			$0.49
2	Var.1. Moderato	1:24			$0.49
3	Var.2. Allegro ma non troppo	1:04			$0.49
4	Var.3. Allegretto	1:00			$0.49
5	Var.4 Tempo di Menuetto	1:05			$0.49
6	Var.5. Marcia	2:48			$0.99
7	Var.6. Allegretto. Adagio molto	3:52			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 15 Variations and Fugue in Eb on an Original Theme ('Eroica Variations'), Op.35 Work Recorded 1980 24:05 Wilhelm Kempff Piano, Emil Grigoryevich Gilels Piano
8	Introduzione col Basso del Tema: Allegretto vivace	3:00			$0.99
9	Tema: Allegretto vivace	0:42			$0.49
10	Variation 1	0:37			$0.49
11	Variation 2	0:51			$0.49
12	Variation 3	0:39			$0.49
13	Variation 4	0:32			$0.49
14	Variation 5	0:52			$0.49
15	Variation 6	0:33			$0.49
16	Variation 7: Canone all'ottava	0:37			$0.49
17	Variation 8	1:01			$0.49
18	Variation 9	0:39			$0.49
19	Variation 10	0:37			$0.49
20	Variation 11	0:44			$0.49
21	Variation 12	0:40			$0.49
22	Variation 13	0:44			$0.49
23	Variation 14: Minore	1:43			$0.49
24	Variation 15: Maggiore. Largo	3:42			$0.99
25	Coda	1:12			$0.49
26	Finale: Alla Fuga. Allegro con brio. Andante con moto	4:40			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 9 Variations in A on Paisiello's Air 'Quanto e' bello l'amor contadino', WoO69 Work Recorded 1997 Olli Mustonen Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
27	9 Variations in A on Paisiello's Air 'Quanto e' bello l'amor contadino', WoO69	4:56			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Variations on a Russian Dance in A- (from Wranitzky's 'Das Waldmädchen,'), WoO71 Work Recorded 1992 Olli Mustonen Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
28	12 Variations on a Russian Dance in A- (from Wranitzky's 'Das Waldmädchen,'), WoO71	11:18			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 7 Variations in C on 'God Save the King', WoO78 Work Recorded 1992 Olli Mustonen Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
29	7 Variations in C on 'God Save the King', WoO78	7:22			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Variations in D on 'Rule Britannia', WoO79 Work Recorded 1992 Olli Mustonen Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
30	6 Variations in D on 'Rule Britannia', WoO79	4:08			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 32 Variations on an Original Theme in C-, WoO80 Work Recorded 1971 Wilhelm Kempff Piano
31	32 Variations on an Original Theme in C-, WoO80	11:27			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Ecossaises, WoO83 (dubious) Work Recorded 1964 Wilhelm Kempff Piano
32	6 Ecossaises, WoO83 (dubious)	2:37			$0.99
CD 6 of 8
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 33 Variations in C on a Waltz by Diabelli ('Diabelli Variations'), Op.120 Work Recorded 1981 1:00:15 Daniel Barenboim Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
1	Theme: Vivace	0:48			$0.49
2	Variation 1: Alla marcia maestoso	1:57			$0.49
3	Variation 2: Poco allegro	0:56			$0.49
4	Variation 3: L'istesso tempo	1:30			$0.49
5	Variation 4: Un poco più vivace	1:07			$0.49
6	Variation 5: Allegro vivace	0:51			$0.49
7	Variation 6: Allegro ma non troppo e serioso	1:59			$0.49
8	Variation 7: Un poco più allegro	1:04			$0.49
9	Variation 8: Poco vivace	1:37			$0.49
10	Variation 9: Allegro pesante e risoluto	1:56			$0.49
11	Variation 10: Presto	0:34			$0.49
12	Variation 11: Allegretto	1:15			$0.49
13	Variation 12: Un poco più moto	1:00			$0.49
14	Variation 13: Vivace	1:05			$0.49
15	Variation 14: Grave e maestoso	5:12			$0.99
16	Variation 15: Presto scherzando	0:37			$0.49
17	Variation 16: Allegro	0:58			$0.49
18	Variation 17: L'istesso tempo	0:59			$0.49
19	Variation 18: Poco moderato	1:56			$0.49
20	Variation 19: Presto	0:49			$0.49
21	Variation 20: Andante	4:10			$0.99
22	Variation 21: Allegro con brio	1:16			$0.49
23	Variation 22: Allegro molto alla 'Notte e giorno faticar' di Mozart	0:50			$0.49
24	Variation 23: Allegro assai	0:50			$0.49
25	Variation 24: Fughetta	3:22			$0.99
26	Variation 25: Allegro	0:51			$0.49
27	Variation 26: Allegretto	1:32			$0.49
28	Variation 27: L'istesso tempo	0:53			$0.49
29	Variation 28: Allegro	0:56			$0.49
30	Variation 29: Adagio ma non troppo	1:34			$0.49
31	Variation 30: Andante, sempre cantabile	2:32			$0.99
32	Variation 31: Largo, molto espressivo	6:10			$0.99
33	Variation 32: Fuga	3:00			$0.99
34	Variation 33: Tempo di minuetto	4:09			$0.99
CD 7 of 8
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Andante favori in F, WoO57 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
1	Andante favori in F, WoO57	10:40			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Minuets, WoO10 Work Recorded 1997 Mikhail Pletnev Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
2	No.2 in G	11:48			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 7 Ländler in D, WoO11 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
3	7 Ländler in D, WoO11	4:04			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 German Dances for Orchestra, WoO13 Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
4	12 German Dances for Orchestra, WoO13	13:38			$2.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Rondo a capriccio in G, Op.129 (‘Rage over a Lost Penny’) Work Recorded 1996 Gianluca Cascioli Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
5	Rondo a capriccio in G, Op.129 (‘Rage over a Lost Penny’)	6:49			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Canon in 2 parts in G, Hess 274 Work Recorded 1976 Walter Olbertz Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
6	Canon in 2 parts in G, Hess 274	0:34			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Canon in 2 parts in Ab, Hess 275 Work Recorded 1976 Walter Olbertz Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
7	Canon in 2 parts in Ab, Hess 275	0:27			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 8 Variations in C on a Theme by Count von Waldstein, for piano 4-hands, WoO67 Work Recorded 1969 Norman Shetler Piano, Jörg Demus Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
8	8 Variations in C on a Theme by Count von Waldstein, for piano 4-hands, WoO67	9:34			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Variations in D on 'Ich denke dein', WoO74 Work Recorded 1969 Norman Shetler Piano, Jörg Demus Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
9	6 Variations in D on 'Ich denke dein', WoO74	5:34			$0.99
CD 8 of 8
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata in D for Piano 4-hands, Op.6 Work Recorded 1969 6:31 Norman Shetler Piano, Jörg Demus Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
1	1.Allegro	2:58			$0.99
2	2.Rondo: Moderato	3:33			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 3 Grandes Marches for 2 Pianos, Op.45 Work Recorded 1969 11:55 Norman Shetler Piano, Jörg Demus Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
3	No.1 in C	3:52			$0.99
4	No.2 in Eb	3:54			$0.99
5	No.3 in C	4:09			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Grosse Fuge for String Quartet in Bb, Op.133 Work Recorded 1969 Norman Shetler Piano, Jörg Demus Piano, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
6	Grosse Fuge for String Quartet in Bb, Op.133 (arr. piano 4-hands)	16:22			$2.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 2 Preludes 'Thorough all the major keys', Op.39 Work Recorded 1997 8:50 Simon Preston Organ, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
7	1.Moderato	5:55			$0.99
8	2.Andante con moto	2:55			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Fugue in D, for organ, WoO31 Work Recorded 1997 Simon Preston Organ, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
9	Fugue in D, for organ, WoO31	2:08			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 5 Pieces for Musical Clock, WoO33 Work Recorded 1997 18:18 Simon Preston Organ, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
10	No.1 in F (Adagio assai)	5:32			$0.99
11	No.2 in G (Scherzo: Allegro)	1:48			$0.49
12	No.3 in G (Allegro)	2:10			$0.99
13	No.4 in C (Allegro non più molto)	4:34			$0.99
14	No.5 in C (Menuetto: Allegretto)	4:14			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Grenadier March in F for Mechanical Clock in F, Hess107 Work Recorded 1997 Simon Preston Organ, Wilhelm Kempff Piano
15	Grenadier March in F for Mechanical Clock in F, Hess107	3:29			$0.99