{"product_id":"4988005899347","title":"Wilhelm Kempff - Beethoven: Tower Classic - Japan 8 CD Limited Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eCredits:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWilhelm Kempff\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe complete cycle that was more widely loved in Japan than any other during the LP era, restored together with its original artwork, and with valuable notes by Kempff himself.\n\nWilhelm Kempff's complete Beethoven piano sonatas were issued during the LP era both as a set and as eleven separate discs (MG2357-67 [LP, deleted]), and became such a fixture that Japanese record shops kept them permanently in stock through the 1960s and 70s. The reasons are not hard to find: Kempff was a German master playing his own countryman's music; he was a familiar figure in Japan, having toured repeatedly since 1936; the DG cycle was his third recording of the sonatas, following his 78rpm and mono LP traversals; and the set was warmly recommended by specialist magazines and record guides. The cycle remains genuinely compelling today — the vivid rhythm and freshness of tone in the allegro movements of the early works, the powerful, impassioned expression of the middle-period pieces, the stillness and depth of thought in the slow movements, the noble beauty and searching engagement with polyphony in the late sonatas — all captured by Deutsche Grammophon in the pellucid sound of analogue recording at its peak.\n\nFor this reissue, the end of the booklet carries a Japanese translation of Kempff's own essay \"On Beethoven's Piano Sonatas\", which was included with the imported LP box in the 1970s. As with our recently released Beethoven complete piano concertos, this is its first appearance in the CD era. The 35-page booklet, which also includes detailed notes on each work, is a considerable attraction in itself. The sound derives from the original masters digitised at high bit rate and high sampling frequency (192kHz\/24bit) for use as the CD master, giving greater resolution and a smoother tone. The box uses the sleeve photograph from the original complete edition, and the booklet includes a newly written introductory essay. A fitting keepsake for the 120th anniversary of Kempff's birth. Five titles make up this Vol. 2 release.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TOWER RECORDS UNIVERSAL VINTAGE COLLECTION +plus","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53595614970145,"sku":"4988005899347","price":5657.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8482\/2076\/files\/4988005899347.jpg?v=1790481936","url":"https:\/\/cdsvinyljapan.com\/products\/4988005899347","provider":"CDs Vinyl Japan Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}