Andreas Staier - Beethoven: Ein Neuer Weg - Piano Sonatas Op.31 Variations Opp.34 & 35 - Import 2 CD

Credits:

Andreas Staier

Description:

Beethoven by Steyr! Harmoniumundi releases a collection of Beethoven's works in the Beethoven Year. The next new release features Steyer on fortepiano. The three sonatas of Op. 31 were published in April 1803. During this period, Beethoven declared to a friend, "I am not satisfied with my past work. In the fall of 1802, Beethoven wrote his "Heiligenstadt Testament. Convinced that he would not be able to escape from his ear disease, he was determined to start a new life. These three sonatas are also in the classical sonata form with various unusual elements (the first movement does not begin with a main chord, there is a ritardando at the beginning, etc.), and the listener cannot help but be excited about the next development. [In a letter to the publisher dated October 18, 1802, he wrote, "I now have two variation pieces. Both pieces were composed in a completely new style," Beethoven wrote in a letter to his publisher dated October 18, 1802. Steyer performs them in their best form, as Beethoven's genius rose to new heights and finally showed off his creativity. The Piano Sonata No. 16 is a witty piece that begins with a unique rhythm and makes extensive use of syncopated rhythms. Steyer clearly brings out each element of Beethoven's music, and the performance is a series of eye-opening moments that show how much fun the piece is. The smeared arpeggio effect at the beginning of the first movement of No. 17 "Tempest" can only be achieved by fortepiano. In the first movement of No. 18, too, the effect of the blurring of the sound when the pedal is used can be said to be the charm of the fortepiano. The ritardando at the beginning is unexpected and persuasive. The final movement, the Rondo, is a sharp, poignant performance. It is as if these sonatas were written only yesterday, and the performance is full of freshness. Beethoven was a master of variations.Bringing out the various attributes of a single theme to its fullest extent, Beethoven's richness of musicality and immense compositional power are unparalleled. The F-major Variations is a work with a simple, appealing song, and Steyer's performance, full of songfulness, only reaffirms the beauty of this work. The "Eroica Variations" is also a superbly crafted work, but Steyer's performance emphasizes that Beethoven was a master of variations rather than that this is a difficult piece, and we hear the "Eroica Variations" on a large scale filled with fantasy. King International

Tracklisting:

1.Sonata no. 16 Op. 31 no. 1 G major~I. Allegro vivace
2.Sonata no. 16 Op. 31 no. 1 G major~II. Adagio grazioso
3.Sonata no. 16 Op. 31 no. 1 G major~III. Rondo. Allegretto
4.Sonata no. 17 Op. 31 no. 2 D minor~I. Largo
5.Sonata no. 17 Op. 31 no. 2 D minor~II. Adagio
6.Sonata no. 17 Op. 31 no. 2 D minor~III. Allegretto
7.Sonata no. 18 Op. 31 no. 3 E flat major~I. Allegro
8.Sonata no. 18 Op. 31 no. 3 E flat major~II. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace
9.Sonata no. 18 Op. 31 no. 3 E flat major~III. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso - Trio
10.Sonata no. 18 Op. 31 no. 3 E flat major~IV. Presto con fuoco
11.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation II
12.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation III
13.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation IV
14.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation V
15.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation VI
16.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation VII. Canone all'ottava
17.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation VIII
18.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation IX
19.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation X
20.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation XI
21.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation XII
22.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation XIII
23.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation XIV. Minore
24.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Variation XV. Maggiore. Largo - Coda espressivo
25.Fifteen Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 35 'Eroica Variations' E flat major~Finale alla Fuga. Allegro con brio.