Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, John O'Conor :: Beethoven: Immortal Adagios

What's the point?

Alan Lekan | Boulder, CO | 01/27/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas form a core of the modern piano literature - and for a good reason. He had an amazing ability to write music of great depth, compelling drama, variety, power but also equistite expression. Not only was Beethoven adept as composing works that literally shook the house with intensity and virtuosity, but he was equally brilliant at the other side of the spectrum: adagios of touching lyricism, poetry and endearing beauty, which have the ability to transport one to great spiritual and emotional depths (hence the title of the CD, "Immortal Adagios").



This CD contains 10 of the slow adagio movements from the piano sonatas including the most famous, songful and memorable ones from the "Pathetique" and "Moonlight" sonatas. John O'Conor is a pianist of Irish-decent whose Beethoven put him "on the map" with the public. His style in Beethoven is warm and deeply felt, which is ideal for such pieces as these.



However, it is not clear as to the goal of this CD. If it is to "cherry pick" the nice Beethoven slow movements for a "Beethoven for Relaxation" type of CD, forget it - this is still Beethoven who was rarely content to maintain a perpetual serenity throughout a movement to aid the insomniac. Rather, he became well-known (and often disliked by critics of his day) for throwing in contrasting episodes of turbulance, dissonance and cresendos to express a different, more troubled side of life (perhaps often his dissatifaction at the time growing deaf). So, while the first three tracks (Moonlight, Pathetique) lead you into a blissful state, that is soon shaken by the "outbursts" in tracks 4, 5 and 6. So, most of the adagios are slow, melodic and on the quiet side, just not all of them.



Ideally, it is best to listen to these monumental works in their entirety with the other movements - or in a relaxing compilation of slow movements with none of those famous "Beethoven outbursts." This CD is neither here nor there. Regarding the sound quality, it is good with no major complaints. No offense to John O'Conor who is a fine pianist, but it best to spend your "Beethoven dollars" elsewhere. If your goal is "a quiet Beethoven CD," try Philips "Beethoven for Book Lovers" featuring the slow movements from the 10 gorgeous violin/piano sonatas performed by the legendary David Oistrakh - a violinist endeared for his gentle and sweet tone."