Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110 - download (MP3 & FLAC)

This new release completes Michael Korstick’s cycle of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas.

These recordings have been available previously but are reference recordings.

They “make whole” a very significant cycle.

This release is the latest addition to the complete Beethoven piano sonatas cycle by Kodama. Her previous releases in this series have been well received. “Never bearing down on heavily on the music, she always allows Beethoven his own voice.” Gramophone

Originally released on Calico Classics (CCCR101), it has been out of print for some time and is now reissued on the Diversions imprint – at mid price.

Jill Crossland is from West Yorkshire and studied at Chethams School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music with Ryszard Bakst and in Vienna with Paul Badura-Skoda and Sally Sargeant and now pursues an active concert and recording career.

Jill has played regularly on the South Bank and at the Wigmore Hall in London; her appearances have also included Bridgewater Hall, St George’s Bristol, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, Vienna Musikverein, Vienna Konzerthaus, Sage Gateshead and the National Concert Hall, Dublin. She has been a member of the Arts Council England Musicians in Residence scheme.

Jill’s recordings include works by Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Mozart and Beethoven for the Divine Art and Diversions labels, as well as the Bach Goldberg Variations and the complete Bach Well-tempered Clavier for Signum. Her recordings have received high critical praise on both sides of the Atlantic. Among many critical plaudits, her Bach has been described “among the most satisfying recent releases of [his] keyboard music” (Rob Cowan BBC Radio 3) and “rank[ing] with the finest previous versions, altogether a remarkable achievement” (Penguin Guide to CDs) and her Beethoven as “magnetic” and “delightful” by American Record Guide.

Jill has appeared on radio and TV, including live and recorded broadcasts on BBC Radios 3 and 4 and has featured in the Classic FM Hall of Fame.

As Alfred Brendel celebrates his 80th birthday on 5 January 2011, Decca is marking this momentous occasion with FOUR major catalogue releases.

He’s a legend of the piano world, revered and applauded the world over. For long an exclusive Philips Classics artist, Alfred Brendel is the recipient of the 2010 Gramophone Lifetime Achievement Award. Famed for his peerless interpretations of Viennese classics, 2011 sees Brendel celebrate his 80th birthday and for it we present four iconic sets – available at budget price for the first time.

This next special release is dedicated specifically to the Birthday of Gramophone ‘Life Time Achievement’ Award- winning artist, Brendel.

Showcasing our personal favourites, Decca presents 2 classic LIVE Brendel recordings with the Brahms Piano Concerto no.1 and the Mozart Piano Concerto no. 25.