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

The great German pianist, Wilhelm Backhaus (1884–1969), made his first concert tour at the age of sixteen. He toured widely throughout his life, making his U.S. debut in 1912 (his final concert there took place in 1962 when he was 78!). Backhaus was well known for his interpretations and recordings of Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms and was also much admired as a chamber musician.

His 1909 abridged recording of the Grieg Concerto was not only the first recording of that work, but the first time any concerto had ever been recorded. Apart from this, he was also the first pianist to record the Chopin Études in 1928. He became a Swiss citizen in 1930 and reached the age of 85. The Times praised Backhaus in its 1969 obituary for having upheld the classical German music tradition of the Leipzig Conservatory.

These recordings have never been issued before on CD, and are in excellent sound for the period. This 1959 concert gives us a rare experience of hearing Backhaus caught ‘live’ in the Beethovenhalle in Bonn in a typical programme of Schubert and Beethoven.

The CD contains a great performance of Beethoven’s monumental ‘Hammerklavier’ Sonata. According to the pianist and Beethoven specialist Stephen Kovacevich, Backhaus was the only pianist to have understood the work.

The booklet notes have been written by the distinguished musicologist and writer Bernard Jacobson, who draws comparisons through Backhaus’s playing of the Schubert Impromptu in B flat major and Beethoven’s earlier sonata op.10 no.2 with his interpretation of the ‘Hammerklavier’.

Mari Kodama continues her cycle of piano sonatas. "What really comes across, is her affection for the music, her wish to give it time so that we may enjoy its shape, harmonies and details." International Record Review

Angela Hewitt’s legion of fans will be delighted at this eagerly awaited third volume of Beethoven sonatas. Her first two releases in this series were praised for their ‘clarity, intelligence and elegance’ … ‘fusing poetry and passion’, and all these trademark qualities of her playing are fully present in this third disc.

Four contrasting sonatas are presented here, including Op 27 No 2 ‘Moonlight’, which needs no introduction.

With this specially-priced two-disc set, Garrick Ohlsson completes his survey of Beethoven's monumental thirty-two sonatas, a project that the great American pianist has been working on for more than a decade.

This is the first complete recording of Barry Cooper’s new edition, published by ABRSM.

Martin Roscoe is a versatile musician who flourishes in performance, whether as a concerto soloist, recitalist or chamber musician. He is an artist who endeavours always to serve the composer and the music. His enduring popularity and solid reputation are built on a deeply thoughtful musicianship which is allied to an easy rapport with audiences and fellow musicians alike.

Roscoe is now recording the complete Beethoven piano sonatas for the Deux-Elles label and this first collection includes Beethoven’s popular Pathetique sonata, on which he comments “a work of peculiar intensity and dynamic energy which can still blow away its listeners with its power and freshness….The Pathétique remains a huge thrill to perform: I’d even say I find it much more exciting now than when I first learnt it some thirty-five years ago!”

“Roscoe is a pianist who both thinks and offers full-blooded playing of breadth and depth. In this country, he is an uncommon creature.” Daily Telegraph

"Roscoe remains one of the most reassuring voices, bringing mastery and sheer musical quality to bear on everything he plays.” The Gramophone

Andrew Rangell's latest recording presents four sonatas composed by Beethoven at the end of the 18th century.

The three Op. 10 sonatas and the ever-popular “Pathetique” feature Beethoven's newly-found concision and economy of expression, combined with even greater humour and wit than was apparent in the master's earlier sonatas.