Album

Why is this the disc to hear if you want to hear Beethoven's Bagatelles?

First, Philips' sound is magnificent, as clear and realistic a piano recording as has ever been made, a recording that puts the piano in the same room as the listener. Second, there are hardly any truly great performances of Beethoven's three sets of Bagatelles; the only uncontrovertibly great performances were recorded by Artur Schnabel in the '30s and their sound is unlistenable for most contemporary listeners. Third, and most importantly, Alfred Brendel's interpretations are every bit as great as Schnabel's and every bit as individualistic as Brendel's best interpretations. In Brendel's performances, each of Beethoven's quirky Bagatelles is wonderfully characterized and marvelously expressive. Fourth, the disc is filled out with four little pieces by Beethoven in superb performances, an elegant Rondo in C major, a powerful Allegretto in C minor, a delicious Klavierstuck in B flat major, and, of course, a simple and sublime Bagatelle "Für Elise."

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 7 Bagatelles, Op.33 Work Recorded 1996 19:49 Alfred Brendel Piano
1	No.1 in Eb (Andante grazioso quasi allegretto)	4:03			$0.99
2	No.2 in C (Scherzo: Allegro)	2:48			$0.99
3	No.3 in F (Allegretto)	2:12			$0.99
4	No.4 in A (Andante)	3:22			$0.99
5	No.5 in C (Allegro ma non troppo)	3:13			$0.99
6	No.6 in D (Allegretto quasi andante)	2:15			$0.99
7	No.7 in Ab (Presto)	1:56			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 2 Rondos, Op.51 Work Recorded 1996 Alfred Brendel Piano
8	2 Rondos, Op.51	6:21			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Allegretto in C-, WoO53 Work Recorded 1996 Alfred Brendel Piano
9	Allegretto in C-, WoO53	3:50			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 11 Bagatelles, Op.119 Work Recorded 1996 14:58 Alfred Brendel Piano
10	No.1 in G- (Allegretto)	2:38			$0.99
11	No.2 in C (Andante con moto)	0:59			$0.49
12	No.3 in D (A l'allemande)	1:41			$0.49
13	No.4 in A (Andante cantabile)	1:42			$0.49
14	No.5 in C- (Risoluto)	1:03			$0.49
15	No.6 in G (Andante. Allegretto)	1:55			$0.49
16	No.7 in C (Allegro ma non troppo)	1:06			$0.49
17	No.8 in C (Moderato cantabile)	1:27			$0.49
18	No.9 in A- (Vivace moderato)	0:30			$0.49
19	No.10 in A (Allegramente)	0:13			$0.49
20	No.11 in Bb (Andante ma non troppo)	1:44			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Bagatelles, Op.126 Work Recorded 1996 20:04 Alfred Brendel Piano
21	No.1 in G (Andante con moto, cantabile e con piacevole)	3:26			$0.99
22	No.2 in G- (Allegro)	2:55			$0.99
23	No.3 in Eb (Andante. Cantabile ed espressivo)	2:38			$0.99
24	No.4 in B- (Presto)	3:58			$0.99
25	No.5 in G (Quasi allegretto)	2:47			$0.99
26	No.6 in Eb (Presto. Andante amabile e con moto)	4:20			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Bagatelle in Bb, WoO60 Work Recorded 1996 Alfred Brendel Piano
27	Bagatelle in Bb, WoO60	1:27			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Bagatelle in A- ('Für Elise'), WoO59 Work Recorded 1984 Alfred Brendel Piano
28	Bagatelle in A- ('Für Elise'), WoO59	3:38			$0.99