Beethoven: Piano Sonatas

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When her idiosyncratic pianism is consumed in bulk, one seems method in her madness, as with Glenn Gould's. As the finale of her Hammerklavier attests, Lim is blessed - and cursed - with amazing... — BBC Music Magazine, September 2012, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 21st May 2012
Catalogue No: 4649522
Label: Warner Classics
Length: 8 hours 55 minutes

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106 'Hammerklavier'

Work length37:20

Album only

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro

Track length10:24

Album only

II. Scherzo: Assai vivace

Track length2:43

$1.30

$1.70

III. Adagio sostenuto, appassionato e con molto sentimento

Track length12:50

Album only

IV. Largo - Allegro risoluto

Track length11:23

Album only

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 11 in B flat major, Op. 22

Work length21:27

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro con brio

Track length6:59

$1.30

$1.70

II. Adagio con molta espressione

Track length6:13

$1.30

$1.70

III. Menuetto

Track length2:54

$1.30

$1.70

III. Rondo Allegretto

Track length5:21

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major, Op. 81a 'Les Adieux'

Work length14:32

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Das Lebewohl (Les Adieux). Adagio - Allegro

Track length6:15

$1.30

$1.70

II. Abwesenheit (L'absence). Andante espressivo

Track length2:58

$1.30

$1.70

III. Das Wiedersehen (Le Retour). Vivacissimamente

Track length5:19

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Sonata No.4 in Eb Opus 7

Work length24:19

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro molto e con brio

Track length7:39

$1.30

$1.70

II. Largo, con gran espressione

Track length5:55

$1.30

$1.70

III. Allegro

Track length4:43

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Rondo: poco allegretto e grazioso

Track length6:02

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Sonata No.9 in E Opus 14 No.1

Work length11:58

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro

Track length5:37

$1.30

$1.70

II. Allegretto

Track length3:13

$1.30

$1.70

III. Rondo: Allegro comodo

Track length3:08

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Sonata No.10 in G Opus 14 No.2

Work length13:54

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro

Track length6:27

$1.30

$1.70

II. Andante

Track length4:03

$1.30

$1.70

III. Scherzo: Allegro assai

Track length3:24

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 13 in E flat major, Op. 27 No. 1 'Quasi una fantasia'

Work length13:13

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Andante - Allegro - Tempo I

Track length4:35

$1.30

$1.70

II. Allegro molto e vivace

Track length1:46

$1.30

$1.70

III. Adagio con espressione

Track length2:06

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Allegro vivace - Presto

Track length4:46

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight': Adagio sostenuto

Work length4:27

$1.30

$1.70

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

Beethoven: Sonata No.14 in C# minor Opus 27 No.2 "Moonlight"

Work length9:26

$2.60

$3.40

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

II. Allegretto

Track length2:11

$1.30

$1.70

III. Presto agitato

Track length7:15

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Sonata No.1 in F minor Opus 2 No.1

Work length15:38

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro

Track length3:40

$1.30

$1.70

II. Adagio

Track length4:25

$1.30

$1.70

III. Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio

Track length2:51

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Prestissimo

Track length4:42

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Sonata No.2 in A Opus 2 No.2

Work length19:39

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro vivace

Track length6:17

$1.30

$1.70

II. Largo appassionato

Track length4:39

$1.30

$1.70

III. Scherzo: Allegretto - Trio

Track length2:54

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Rondo: Grazioso

Track length5:49

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Sonata No.3 in C Opus 2 No.3

Work length23:33

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro con brio

Track length9:44

$1.30

$1.70

II. Adagio

Track length5:42

$1.30

$1.70

III. Scherzo: Allegro - Trio

Track length2:58

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Allegro assai

Track length5:09

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale'

Work length22:08

Album only

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro

Track length10:02

Album only

II. Andante

Track length5:23

$1.30

$1.70

III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace - Trio

Track length2:18

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Rondo: Allegro, ma non troppo

Track length4:25

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 'Waldstein'

Work length13:11

$2.60

$3.40

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Allegro con brio

Track length9:58

$1.30

$1.70

II. Introduzione: Adagio molto

Track length3:13

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.21 in C Major, Op. 53 'Waldstein': III. Rondo: Allegretto moderato - Prestissimo

Work length9:42

$1.30

$1.70

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 22 in F major, Op. 54

Work length9:47

$2.60

$3.40

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. In tempo d'un menuetto

Track length4:48

$1.30

$1.70

II. Allegretto

Track length4:59

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Sonata No.25 in G Opus 79

Work length7:47

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July and August 2011.

I. Presto alla tedesca

Track length4:17

$1.30

$1.70

II. Andante

Track length1:39

$1.30

$1.70

III. Vivace

Track length1:51

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1

Work length16:01

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Allegro molto e con brio

Track length5:26

$1.30

$1.70

II. Adagio molto

Track length6:17

$1.30

$1.70

III. Finale: Prestissimo

Track length4:18

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 10 No. 2

Work length11:40

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Allegro

Track length5:29

$1.30

$1.70

II. Allegretto

Track length3:56

$1.30

$1.70

III. Presto

Track length2:15

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3

Work length21:59

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Presto

Track length6:48

$1.30

$1.70

II. Largo e mesto

Track length8:19

$1.30

$1.70

III. Menuetto: Allegro - Trio

Track length2:35

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Rondo: Allegro

Track length4:17

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 16 in G major, Op. 31 No. 1

Work length20:14

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Allegro vivace

Track length5:57

$1.30

$1.70

II. Adagio grazioso

Track length8:23

$1.30

$1.70

III. Rondo: Allegretto

Track length5:54

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 'Tempest'

Work length20:30

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Largo - Allegro

Track length8:32

$1.30

$1.70

II. Adagio

Track length5:57

$1.30

$1.70

III. Allegretto

Track length6:01

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3 'The Hunt'

Work length20:21

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Allegro

Track length7:54

$1.30

$1.70

II. Scherzo: Allegretto vivace

Track length4:21

$1.30

$1.70

III. Menuetto: Moderato e grazioso - Trio

Track length3:39

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Presto con fuoco

Track length4:27

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101

Work length18:39

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung

Track length3:48

$1.30

$1.70

II. Lebhaft, marschmäßig

Track length5:26

$1.30

$1.70

III. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll

Track length2:10

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Presto - Geschwinde, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit

Track length7:15

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Sonata No. 24 in F Sharp, Op.78 'Für Therese'

Work length9:02

$2.60

$3.40

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo

Track length6:21

$1.30

$1.70

II. Allegro vivace

Track length2:41

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90

Work length11:43

$2.60

$3.40

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo

Track length5:18

$1.30

$1.70

II. Allegro vivace

Track length6:25

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109

Work length16:34

Album only

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Vivace, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo

Track length3:18

$1.30

$1.70

II. Prestissimo

Track length2:22

$1.30

$1.70

III. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung

Track length10:54

Album only

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110

Work length16:32

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Moderato cantabile, molto espressivo

Track length5:59

$1.30

$1.70

II. Allegro molto

Track length1:59

$1.30

$1.70

III. Adagio, ma non troppo - Fuga: Allegro, ma non troppo

Track length8:34

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique'

Work length17:08

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio

Track length8:14

$1.30

$1.70

II. Adagio cantabile

Track length4:28

$1.30

$1.70

III. Rondo: Allegro

Track length4:26

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 26 'March Funebre'

Work length16:51

$5.20

$6.80

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Andante con variazioni

Track length6:16

$1.30

$1.70

II. Scherzo: Allegro molto - Trio

Track length2:26

$1.30

$1.70

III. Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe

Track length5:39

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Allegro

Track length2:30

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 'Appassionata'

Work length22:35

$3.90

$5.10

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Allegro assai

Track length9:30

$1.30

$1.70

II. Andante con moto

Track length5:31

$1.30

$1.70

III. Allegro, ma non troppo - Presto

Track length7:34

$1.30

$1.70

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111

Work length23:15

Album only

HJ Lim (piano)
Recorded: 2011-08-01
Recording Venue: Recorded in July & August 2011 in Faller Hall, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland

I. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato

Track length8:42

$1.30

$1.70

II. Arietta: Adagio molto, semplice e cantabile

Track length14:33

Album only

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About

Recording and performing the complete cycle of Beethoven Piano Sonatas has long been the reserve for the Grand Master or Mistress, a reward for expert hands, following long and storied careers. Here, in a bold and controversial new recording project, the 24 year-old HJ Lim will prove that she is ready now. Lim, who has already performed the sonatas in critically acclaimed 8-day concert series in France, Germany and Japan, will release the complete sonatas in a deluxe, 8-CD slipcased edition.

“I view these sonatas by Beethoven as the most intense diary, in which genius expresses, or even illustrates, all the facets of a life that is sometimes sublimated, and idealized, and often deeply moving by its realism.

To perform Beethoven's sonatas is not just to interpret music, but is also an attempt to understand the multi-faceted psychology of a human being. It is, in any case, an attempt to bring to light one's own truth. If Beethoven's music can help us understand the human being that he was, so can entering Beethoven's life help us understand his music.”

“All these reflections would not be valid without a source coming from Beethoven himself or from one of his close contemporaries, the many accounts from his close relations that we have, also the letters and personal notes are therefore very important. It does indeed help us place ourselves within the composer's lifetime and cancel as much as possible of the distance that separates us from him. As Beethoven's music is profoundly human, we can today still understand it with our hearts. And yet there is a crucial element that as an interpreter we must urgently work on, which is to "re-actualize" the impact and shock that this music could create at the time. Each sonata should be conveyed with all the freshness and innovatory inspiration it could produce in the eyes of Beethoven's contemporaries. This is the difficult role and heavy responsibility of the interpreter.

All composers need the indispensable assistance of interpreters in order to survive and communicate their ideas to a larger number, and for that their "divinity" could be transmitted to the public. However, I feel that I, as interpreter, I am not only serving the composer, but I am using myself in my turn, composers as my intermediary, as the interpreters of the divinity, to get myself closer to the Muse.” HJ Lim

NB Lim has chosen to omit the two small Op. 49 sonatas on the grounds that Beethoven didn't intend them for publication

Reviews

September 2012

When her idiosyncratic pianism is consumed in bulk, one seems method in her madness, as with Glenn Gould's. As the finale of her Hammerklavier attests, Lim is blessed - and cursed - with amazing technical dexterity; the fact that this movement is near-flawless is offset by the way the music coalesces into a frantic blur at moments of peak intensity...In her opening Allegros she possesses the touch of a true Beethovenian.

September 2012

[Lim] takes chances, and the vibrant yet quirky characteristics in her playing I observed in my review of Vol. 1 continue to rampage throughout the remaining works...Lim's liberties convince the most when they intensify the music's inherent character...In sum, even at her most wrong-headed, Lim's strong personality and obvious Beethovenian affinity bode well for her mature remarks 20 years from now.

July 2012

[The Hammerklavier] stands as a representative of Lim’s strengths...Without picking over every sonata, I would say that you can find great enjoyment with HJ Lim, but even with gruff Beethovenian directness, tremendous verve and some remarkably expressive moments and passages, this is not a set which will dislodge the great names

25th May 2012

Her romantic approach, full of impulsive accelerations, would be perfect for Liszt, and might please listeners in search of a Beethoven pushed further into the 19th century than history made possible.

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