Album

Masterful and wholly individualistic, Pollini's 2002 recordings of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas ,Opp. 10 and 13, is absolutely essential and completely transformative. Pollini's playing is as it has always been technically impeccable, but his interpretations have grown individualistic over the years. In the past, Pollini's Beethoven interpretations have been objective yet expressive, a part of the great tradition of Beethoven players yet still his own man. But in this 2002 recording, Pollini's Beethoven interpretations are more subjective yet more monumental, informed by the great tradition but transforming it through the strength of his individuality. Pollini's interpretations re-imagine Beethoven's music and because Pollini is intellectually lucid and spiritually honest, his interpretations achieve the same stature as Schnabel, Fischer, Kempff, or Backhaus in the great tradition of Beethoven players. Deutsche Grammophon's sound is as lucid and honest as Pollini's interpretations. Anyone who loves great Beethoven playing will love this disc.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.5 in C-, Op.10, No.1 Work 16:44 Maurizio Pollini Piano
1	1.Allegro molto e con brio	5:35			$0.99
2	2.Adagio molto	7:13			$1.49
3	3.Finale: Prestissimo	3:56			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.6 in F, Op.10, No.2 Work 14:35 Maurizio Pollini Piano
4	1.Allegro	7:48			$1.49
5	2.Allegretto	3:17			$0.99
6	3.Presto	3:30			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.7 in D, Op.10, No.3 Work 20:25 Maurizio Pollini Piano
7	1.Presto	6:16			$0.99
8	2.Largo e mesto	8:18			$1.49
9	3.Menuetto: Allegro	2:16			$0.99
10	4.Rondo: Allegro	3:35			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.8 in C-, Op.13 ('Pathétique') Work 17:31 Maurizio Pollini Piano
11	1.Grave. Allegro di molto e con brio	8:33			$1.49
12	2.Adagio cantabile	4:37			$0.99
13	3.Rondo: Allegro	4:21			$0.99