Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Emil Gilels :: Beethoven: 29 Piano Sonatas / Gilels

Musical and wise Beethoven

Aaron Lee Faire | Japan | 03/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Emil Gilels needs no praise of introduction from me for those of you who know him; those of you who don't might want to give him a listen. Gilels' playing is assured, wise and sensitive. His notes are nicely rounded, he has a great sense of mood and architecture and behind his sensitivity lies great power - restrained power. You are listening to a giant; a giant who can gently cast of the sweetest, most delicate notes; a giant who can hurl volleys of bold chords. There are times when he seems to suspend time itself - we tread with him in the most limpid, fresh water surrounded by beauty and mystery.Sadly this Beethoven cycle is incomplete; but no matter, for what he did record is a joy. Each time I go back to this collection and specific recordings I find new things to appreciate. I also enjoy Kovacevich (great Schubert, too - EMI) and Richard Goode (Nonesuch). Of the three men, I feel Gilels brings me the closest to an "experience" - define that as you will...If you want a less expensive way to sample Gilels' sensitive and delicate playing, buy his recording of Grieg solo piano pieces on DG. These are not big works, but they are sweet and delicate - cherry blossoms? However, do try the Beethoven. I think this set would make a thoughtful and impressive gift, too. There are also some single discs of this Beethoven cycle available."

The best Beethoven's sonatas

Bach H. Nguyen | MA | 12/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beethoven piano sonatas have come with me for long time, I even can't remember the first time I listened the Hammerklavier. I've heard many issues of these sonatas, maybe more than 20, but just want to make a comparision between 4 best pianists: Schnabel, Arrau, Richter, and Gilels.

C. Arrau has been thought as Beethoven's messenger. He played all Beethoven concertos and sonatas perfectly, smoothly. But in here Arrau seems lacking of agressive and unique. By contrast, A. Schnabel played faster and stronger. Especially in Hammerklavier, Schnabel raised his voice to the tempest in the simple notes. First time I listened to S. Richter in Adagio movement of Hammerklavier, all statues of my favorite pianists playing this sonata had collapsed. His sound like drops of crystal, slowly and slowly. But just only Gilels can make you feel all of emotions: happy, sad, agressive, calm... You can smile and cry with Gilels Hammerklavier.

If you want to listen to Beethoven sonatas, this box set is the best one. Actually, it just has 29 sonatas, other 3 (No.30, 31, 32) can find from S. Richter (but very rare now)."

Long overdue compilation

Peter T. Sipos | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 12/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This set contains sonatas 2-7, 8, 10-21, 23, 25-31, as well as the Eroica Variations and a few unpublished sonatas. The missing sonatas are 1, 9, 22, 24 and 32.

I assume this is a compilation of the recordings released individually throughout the years on DG, most of which I have. If so, these are autumnal recordings, but still marked by Gilel's fantastically accurate technique, featuring a large sound, very clean textures and a very free approach to tempo, particularly in the later sonatas. It's a pity that Gilel's recording of the last (and in my opinion greatest) sonata was omitted from this compilation. I know it exists, issued by DG on a single CD paired with a couple of early unpublished sonatas, since I own it also. Perhaps (hopefully) it is included, and Amazon simply forget to list it. Since I do not actually own this set, but rather the individual releases, I can't say one way or the other. It's for this omission only that I give this set a 4; the individual recordings themselves are an unqualified 5 throughout.

I find Gilels' interpretations very satisfying. He delivers especially deeply felt readings of the later sonatas. I have a particular affection for his interpretation of Op.109, partly because I've played it myself. The opening sequence emerges like one long plaintive sigh and the rest of the movement maintains this eloquent balancing of sorrow and dignity. Gilels can generate immense sound and execute the most intricate passages with clarity and subtlety. In all the sonatas here, I think he captures the spirit of each phrase and each passage with exceptional fidelity.

I doubt anyone who buys this set will be disappointed."