The Lost Tapes – Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 21 & 23

Album review

The "Lost Tapes" marketing device is doubtless effective, but actually, there are several recordings of Beethoven piano sonatas from the end of Rudolf Serkin's life. This one was the very last one, and Serkin never approved its release. However, as the pianist's daughter Judith points out in the notes, he was a perfectionist who rarely was satisfied with his recorded work. She also notes that his career spanned eras from the piano roll to the CD, and there is no question that this is a historic release. It is equally clear that Serkin had lost a step by the time he recorded the Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 ("Waldstein"), in 1986, and Piano Sonata No. 23 in F sharp minor, Op. 57 ("Appassionata"), in 1989. Whether because his skills had declined further or simply because the intense "Appassionata" was a taller order, the "Waldstein" is the stronger performance here; the finale of the "Appassionata" is labored. What is near miraculous, however, is that even with diminished technical powers, these recordings are full of Serkin's distinctive personality and style. He was among the most reserved of the great German-Austrian pianists of the 20th century, keeping to a strict tempo and unfolding details subtly in the upper layers. The finale of the "Waldstein" has a fascinating interior quality; lacking glittering double-octave runs, Serkin brings the quintessential Beethovenian narrative of adversity overcome to the work. This release is recommended for Serkin fans and lovers of historical recordings generally.

© James Manheim /TiVo