Search - Eric Heidsieck :: Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas

Convincing and individual - highly recommended

Mike C | Richardson, TX USA | 06/25/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Eric Heidseick's set of Beethoven sonatas is an excellent set, consistent throughout in many ways. It's never boring, and always you get a sense that he is aware of the architecture of each piece. Here are some general comments:The sound quality (recorded in the early 70s) is excellent. It's not quite as rich as Arrau's but better than that of Askenazy's or Bernard Roberts' sets.
The playing is "drier" than what one usually hears in Beethoven, which emphasizes the clean touch, articulation, and speed.
Complementing and being enhanced by the articulation is the fact that he plays very contrapuntally, bringing out a lot of voices not always emphasized in Beethoven.
There are surprises throughout. For example, in the Pathetique, he employs an unusual pedal technique to create an unusual "sforzanzdo" effect; in the Hammerklavier he brings out some middle voices that almost "jab" at the listener; the Tempest last movement is attacked immediately as the second movement is just fading away. None of these diminish the overall effect. One senses that this is not "reverent" playing, as is Arrau's, nor are they performances that attempt to be definitive - I think of Brendel and Goode as recordings to get if you want to hear what's in the score without much embellishment. Instead, it's a very individual interpretation without being eccentric.
Another thing to note in this set is that the pianist will vary the tempi within a movement. The third movement of the Pastorale starts out at a leisurely tempo (the descending f-sharps), and then the faster figure is seemingly played much faster.
Some more individual notes: there is no sonata which sounds as if Heidseick is just playing it to round out the set - each one has a stamp of individuality. I prefer Arrau in op. 110 and in some of the middle sonatas (op. 22, op, 26), and I prefer Brendel in op. 101 and, actually, op. 106. But that's personal preference. The opus 2 sonatas are a real treat.In general, this set has excellent playing throughout, and anyone who can make the op. 49 sound interestng has my applause. Highly recommended."