Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Nelson Freire :: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Opp. 27/2, 53, 81a & 110

Awesome Waldstein

Oldnslow | Seattle, Washington USA | 05/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nelson Freire's Waldstein is superb. Very brisk tempos, like Gulda and Pollini, with superb technique and imagination. Simply thrilling and straight to the top of the heap. I happened to have heard Freire in recital recently where he played the Waldstein, and it was mind boggling. This recording does justice to the live performance. The Moonlight is also magnificent. The Opus 81a is more controversial, especially the last movement, which is quite unorthodox, and the final movement of Op.109 is similarly different. All in all, a wonderful disc from an artist of great distinction."

Profound musicianship and brilliant technique

sharpeyes | 10/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some consider Nelson Freire underrated. That may well be for the larger public, but among pianists and piano lovers he has always ranked high. I have heard him since he was a young man coming out of his teens (I was young then too!!) and have always been struck by the combination of profound musicianship and brilliant technique in his performances. His recent recordings for Decca are simply wonderful (Schumann, Brahms and Chopin) and his interpretations of four major Beethoven sonatas in this disc rank among the finest. I strongly recommend them, and also the Schumann, Chopin and Brahms recordings.



Schumann: Carnaval; Papillons; Kinderszenen; Arabeske



Brahms: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2



Sonata 2/Etudes/Barcarolle



Chopin: Sonata No. 3, Etudes, op. 25,"