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

Glenn Gould plays Beethoven

All tracks recorded in the Columbia 30th Street Studios, New York City

The release of Glenn Gould’s 1955 recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, (Naxos 8.111247) spread his name around the world as this was Bach playing of a style that was wholly new. As a follow up, the 23 year-old Gould chose the last three sonatas by Beethoven which, at that time, were usually reserved for more experienced pianists. With their sometimes unusually fast tempos (executed with remarkable clarity and precision) and omission of repeats, Gould’s performances originally attracted widespread criticism for daring to be different. With hindsight, however, they can be seen as perfectly valid interpretations that combine sensitivity and intelligence without a trace of sentimentality.

Clara Haskill - An Intimate Portrait

Clara Haskill plays pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Debussy and Ravel.

Wilhelm Kempff

The Broadcasting House in Cologne was also the venue for a series of recordings that the great Wilhelm Kempff made in 1956 and 1960. Familiar works are supplemented by a piece that he never recorded in the studio and that is released here for the first time: Schubert's Fantasia D934, captivatingly played by Kempff and Hedi Gigler.With this programme Kempff meets the listener on familiar ground, bringing to his performances his typically high interpretative standards. Pianofiles rejoice!

Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Nos. 28 - 32

Wilhelm Backhaus - Live in New York

(Recorded live in New York, 1954)

John Ogdon

Alfred Brendel plays Beethoven

(Recorded 03/1984 - 12/1997)

Beethoven - Piano Sonatas