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To run parallel with his complete Haydn series, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is now starting a complete, chronological cycle of Beethoven’s piano sonatas. This first set covers the sonatas composed in the 1790s. Two further volumes, of middle and late sonatas, will follow in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Each volume in the series will be available as
3 CDs for the price of 2.
In a recent cover feature in International Piano, Michael Church spoke with the pianist about the new project and reported: ‘For Bavouzet, the particular pleasure of coming to Beethoven after Haydn lies in the fact that although their basic harmonic language is roughly the same, in Beethoven’s scores the dynamics are clearly indicated, especially where they seem completely independent of the music’s so-called natural harmonic tensions.’ Bavouzet added: ‘The accents are in exactly the wrong place, and that’s what creates his music’s excitement. I am so happy to have these two streams of my work running side by side for the next few years.’
This recording covers the sonatas from Opus 2 to Opus 14, and includes a novelty: two different versions of Op. 10 No. 1. In the words of Bavouzet: ‘Professor William Drabkin has reconstructed for me the development section of the third movement. It’s based on Beethoven’s sketches, which had just one line, one voice, but all the bars are full, so we have the exact length, and the line is not always the top line. This makes us realise how he arrived at the concept of his three-movement sonatas, for this was not originally supposed to be in three movements, but four… I will also record the longer development, and the extra movement, so that people can see how he reduced and concentrated the work from four movements to three. I must stress that this is surmise, but it is very well thought through.’
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2, No. 1
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Menuetto: Allegretto
IV. Prestissimo
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2, No. 2
I. Allegro vivace
II. Largo appassionato
III. Scherzo: Allegretto - Minore – Scherzo D.C.
IV. Rondo: Grazioso
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, No. 3
I. Allegro con brio
II. Adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro - Trio – Scherzo D.C. e poi la Coda – Coda
IV. Allegro assai
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 4 in E flat major, Op. 7
I. Molto allegro
II. Largo con gran espressione
III. Allegro - Minore – Allegro D.C. 5:20
IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, "Pathetique"
I. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio - Tempo I – Allegro molto e con brio – Grave – Allegro molto e con brio
II. Adagio cantabile
III. Rondo: Allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14, No. 1
I. Allegro
II. Allegretto - Maggiore – Allegretto D.C. e poi la Coda – Coda
III. Rondo: Allegro comodo
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14, No. 2
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Scherzo: Allegro assai
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1
I. Molto allegro e con brio
II. Adagio molto
III. Finale: Prestissimo
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 10, No. 2
I. Allegro
II. Allegretto
III. Finale: Presto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10, No. 3
I. Presto
II. Largo e mesto
III. Menuetto - Trio - Menuetto: Allegro
IV. Rondo: Allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven: Presto in C minor, WoO 52
Presto in C minor, WoO 52
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1 (arr. W. Drabkin)
Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1: III. Finale: Prestissimo (arr. W. Drabkin)
25th May 2012
****
“Bavouzet’s fingers, precise in touch, sometimes witty and mischievous, make Haydn’s heritage clearly audible...Bavouzet’s playfulness is especially valuable...But Bavouzet equally connects with the music’s soul, sculpting the Pathétique’s grave opening chords to ensure they cast a long shadow”
26th May 2012
*****
“This is one of the biggest discoveries I have come across in years...Bavouzet’s Beethoven...is consistently engaging in its imaginative scope, stylistic freedom and technical fearlessness...The only question now is: after such an outstanding start to his complete cycle, how can Bavouzet maintain this sense of discovery – and how long must we wait for the next instalment?”
July 2012
****
“Bavouzet's performances are distinguished and virtuosic, but he does overemphasise the storminess of some passages, the results sounding perilously close to self-parody...But Bavouzet is quite marvellous in the many quirky, violent and mischievous movements, and in the slow movements where he does not seek to be intensely expressive...so all told this is a most desirable set overall.”
June 2012
“Throughout these discs, Bavouzet enhances his interpretations with pianism of a virtuosity familiar from his earlier recordings...with sound as clear and realistic as one previous Chandos releases...On the basis of this first instalment, he has much to say about this music that is relevant and necessary: one can only look forward to the continuation of this cycle.”
August 2012
“Muted beginnings from Jean-Efflam Bavouzet...Make no mistake, his playing is immaculate. Yet in a number of sonatas his is, mostly, an immaculate presentation of their structural logic...The tide with Op. 10. Excellent pianism now gets bedded into genuine interpretation. Bavouzet jettisons fastidious reserve for a personal perspicacity that reaches deep into the music...Bavouzet when performing at his finest is the thing here.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
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I. Allegro
