Search - Paul Badura-Skoda (Fortepiano), Ludwig van Beethoven :: Ludwig van Beethoven: The Sonatas for Fortepiano, Vol. 3 - Op. 10, Nos. 1-3 / Op. 14, No. 2 - Paul Badura-Skoda

Musical treasures n spirit and approach!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 06/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This remarkable set of Sonatas, were probably composed in 1798. This was a period featured by the febrile abundance of mercurial inspiration and exuberant vitality. Beethoven is in the creative peak of his musical powers, despite the fact the first signs of deafness will appear to undermine his euphoria.



The First two Sonatas contain three movements and the last one contains just one. The First one of the set is an admirable exercise of overwhelming power and vital force.



The Second begins with an aristocratic musical phrase that eventually will lead us to that marvelous main motive that becomes the core of this movement; in which Beethoven blends such expansive energy, spring rapture, suggestive mystery and lovable charm in accurate proportion. To affirm this was a romantic would be to incur in a pitiful mistake; this movement escapes to any possible categorization. It possesses those visible confrontations between light and shadows, sharp contrasts and bitter dissonances. The Second movement is so close in spirit with the First movement of the 28th sonata in which that marked elusiveness and lack of earthly gravity in pursuit of reveal new facets of an heroic introspection.



The brilliant and tumultuous introduction initiates one of he most breathtaking sonatas of this composer. The Third work of this Op. is a solemn masterpiece, radiant in what Dionysian mood concerns; loaded of mercurial outburst of energy. The Largo is one the most superbly constructed of his piano works. It combines an extraordinary example of two forces in conflict and it exemplifies the clash between two anima states: solemnity and sublime noblesse surrounding a soul gripped in melancholy but without a little bit of self indulgence so proper of the Romantic spirit.



The whole understanding of these fundamental works constitute an essential support to be fully immersed into the Beethovenian universe.



You should not miss that formidable CD with Paul Badura Skoda in the peak of his powers.

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