Album

How did Alfred Brendel, the pianist who has recorded the complete piano sonatas and the complete concertos of Beethoven an incredible three times each in a career of more than 50 years, decide which recordings to pick for this two-disc Beethoven collection? Always an intellect of startling lucidity and a virtuoso of staggering ability, Brendel has decided against anything from the '60s and '70s—with one exception, these recordings are all from the middle to late '90s—thereby excluding his most severe performances in favor of his most later, more approachable performances. This is fine as far as it goes. Brendel's 1996 Sonata in E major, Op. 109, is certainly more lyrical than his rigid earlier recordings and his 1993 "Waldstein" Sonata, Op. 53, is likewise surely more serene than his rushed earlier recordings. But Brendel's 1995 Sonata, Op. 111, is just as hard and unrelentingly as any of his earlier accounts, while his 1997 Concerto, Op. 58, with Simon Rattle leading the Vienna Philharmonic is unfortunately more wayward and unaccountably far more self-indulgent than either of his earlier accounts. Listeners who already know Brendel's approach to Beethoven probably already know all of these recordings. Listeners who don't already know Brendel's approach to Beethoven, this set will be a handy way to decide if it appeals sufficiently to hear more. Philips' piano sound is as Philips' piano sound always is—tremendously clean and terrifically clear.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 2
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Bagatelles, Op.126 Work Recorded 1984 20:19 Alfred Brendel Piano
1	No.1 in G (Andante con moto, cantabile e con piacevole)	3:30			$0.99
2	No.2 in G- (Allegro)	2:55			$0.99
3	No.3 in Eb (Andante. Cantabile ed espressivo)	2:49			$0.99
4	No.4 in B- (Presto)	3:58			$0.99
5	No.5 in G (Quasi allegretto)	2:49			$0.99
6	No.6 in Eb (Presto. Andante amabile e con moto)	4:18			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.30 in E, Op.109 Work Recorded 1996 18:21 Alfred Brendel Piano
7	1.Vivace, ma non troppo	3:32			$0.99
8	2.Prestissimo	2:34			$0.99
9	3.Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo (Variations 1-6)	12:15			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.32 in C-, Op.111 Work Recorded 1995 27:41 Alfred Brendel Piano
10	1.Maestoso: Allegro con brio ed appassionato	9:23			$1.49
11	2.Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile (Theme and Variations)	18:18			$2.99
CD 2 of 2
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Op.58 Work Recorded 1997 33:06 Simon Rattle Conductor, Alfred Brendel Piano, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra
1	1.Allegro moderato	17:48			$2.99
2	2.Andante con moto	5:03			$0.99
3	3.Rondo: Vivace	10:15			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Piano Sonata No.21 in C, Op.53 ('Waldstein') Work Recorded 1993 25:00 Alfred Brendel Piano
4	1.Allegro con brio	11:22			$1.99
5	2.Introduzione: Molto adagio	3:48			$0.99
6	3.Rondo: Allegro moderato	9:50			$1.49