Sonata No. 15 in D major: III - Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Sonata No. 15 in D major: IV - Rondo. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonata No. 23 in F minor: I - Allegro Assai
Sonata No. 23 in F minor: II - Andante Con Moto
Sonata No. 23 in F minor: III - Allegro, Ma Non Troppo-Presto
Track Listings (10) - Disc #2
Sonata No. 16 In G Major, Op. 31,1: I - Allegro Vivace
Sonata No. 16 In G Major, Op. 31,1: II - Adagio Grazioso
Sonata No. 16 In G Major, Op. 31,1: III - Rondo: Allegretto
Sonata No. 17 In D Minor, Op. 31,2: I - Largo; Allegro
Sonata No. 17 In D Minor, Op 31,2: II - Adagio
Sonata No. 17 In D Minor, Op. 31,2: III - Allegretto
Sonat No. 18 E - Flat Major, Op. 31,3: I - Allegro
Sonat No. 18 E - Flat Major, Op. 31,3: II - Scherzo. Allegretto Vivace
Sonat No. 18 E - Flat Major, Op. 31,3: III - Menuetto. Moderato E Grazioso
Sonat No. 18 E - Flat Major, Op. 31,3: IV - Presto Con Fuoco
Track Listings (14) - Disc #3
Bagatelles, Op. 33: No.1 In E Flat Major - Amdante Grazioso, Quasi Allegretto
Bagatelles, Op. 33: No.2 In C Major - Scherzo (Allegro)
Bagatelles, Op. 33: No.3 In F Major - Allegretto
Bagatelles, Op. 33: No.4 In A Major - Andante
Bagatelles, Op. 33: No.5 In C Major - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Bagatelles, Op. 33: No.6 in D Major - Allegretto, Quasi Andante
No.7 In A Flat Major - Presto
Bagatelles, Op. 126: No.1 In G - Andante Con Moto Cantabile E Compiacevole
Bagatelles, Op. 126: No.2 In G Minor - Allegro
Bagatelles, Op. 126: No. 3 In F flat - Andante, Cantabile E Grazioso
Bagatelles, Op. 126: No.4 In B Minor - Presto
Bagatelles, Op. 126: No.5 In G Major - Quasi Allegretto
Bagatelles, Op. 126: No.6 In E Flat Major - Presto; Andante Amabile E Con Moto
Variations In E flatMajor, Op. 35,
The best and worst of Glenn Gould intermingle here. He brings off the three Op. 31 sonatas with pinpointed fingerwork, brash rhythm, and a kind of rakish defiance that lends itself well to middle-period Beethoven. His slow... more »-motion caricature of the Appasionata's first movement, on the other hand, is a party record at best. The Op. 33 Bagatelles are delivered with more spunk and energy than the foot-dragging, enervated Op. 126 group. Sony's 20-bit "Glenn Gould Edition" transfers are slightly more focused and defined than the present budget reissue, which sounds perfectly fine in and of itself. --Jed Distler« less
The best and worst of Glenn Gould intermingle here. He brings off the three Op. 31 sonatas with pinpointed fingerwork, brash rhythm, and a kind of rakish defiance that lends itself well to middle-period Beethoven. His slow-motion caricature of the Appasionata's first movement, on the other hand, is a party record at best. The Op. 33 Bagatelles are delivered with more spunk and energy than the foot-dragging, enervated Op. 126 group. Sony's 20-bit "Glenn Gould Edition" transfers are slightly more focused and defined than the present budget reissue, which sounds perfectly fine in and of itself. --Jed Distler
"Make no mistake, Gould's much-maligned performance of the "Appassionata" sonata is superb. It is surely not a faithful rendition of the piece as we have come to know it today, and such was surely never Gould's intention. Instead, Gould attacks the piece at an extraordinarily deliberate speed - perhaps 70% of the norm or something in that ballpark. The result is a very intense, meditative, Zen-like performance that is nevertheless tightly controlled and always coherent. Look elsewhere for a conventional recording of the work to anchor your collection. Then, look here for a religious experience."
Beethoven turned upside down, inside out
Audun Myskja | 02/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of course, Glenn Gould is inextricably intertwined with his Bach interpretations, his Goldberg Variations 1955 probably being my all-time all-round favourite listen. But the amazing thing about this recording is his way of stating a musical point of view. He finds the well-loved Appassionata an inflated empty barrel, and states it with a version that shows that the emperor indeed has no clothes on - to me, this is the most humorous piece in all of music, and instant cure against any depression. On the other hand, he rates less-known piano sonatas by Beethoven higher, and plays them sensitively, in a way that states their significance for all to hear. Goulds musical eloquence has never been equalled."
Second Try
grandpiano_57 | Burlington, CT USA | 11/24/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I already wrote this review. I like this CD very much except for the too slow rendition of the Appassionata. Gould has a fiery and distinctive touch that serves Beethoven very well. The recording sound is very good."
Mixed Results
grandpiano_57 | Burlington, CT USA | 03/11/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Glenn Gould is wonderful on Op. 28 and his treatments of the 3 sonatas from Op. 31 are worth the price of this 3 pack. However, his mistreatment of the Appassionata is unlistenable. To quote William Kinderman who has written the definitive modern analysis of Beethoven, the Appassionata, "In its poetic power and richness of allusion, and in the gigantic simplicity of its structural foundation, represents a profound achievement, outstanding even for Beethoven." Additionally, the finale of this sonata is a perpetual tour-de-force. This is a very powerful statement. Glenn Gould, who I respect highly on most counts, mistakenly thinks I would want to lay down my good money to hear him mock this piece. Playing it against all good judgment and the composers wishes does not give us insight into the piece. It was an unfortunate mistake.To summarize once and for all, there are some great performances on this uneven package. However, do not purchase this if you enjoy the Appassionata or if you were looking for a recording to help you discover this great work. On the other hand, you will be charmed by the performances of the other works on these 3 CD's."