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It's all about the finger technique in this recording by Rudolf Serkin of two of Beethoven's late piano sonatas. The opening of the Hammerklavier is a telling example of Serkin's technique. It is forceful, percussive, loud, and grand. The intense pounding is the overwhelming feature of the first two movements. It doesn't leave room for much subtlety, so Serkin's shaping and phrasing of the movements is done in broad gestures. The long Adagio is more refined in expression, allowing his tone to come out, although his touch is still somewhat percussive and there's room for more legato in his melodies. This movement also has noticeable changes in sound, due to the editing of different recording sessions. The final movement starts out similar to the Adagio, but by the end, Serkin resumes the vigor used at the Sonata's opening. Sonata No. 31 does have cantabile melodies, and the slow passages are beautiful and meaningful. The Adagio opening of its final movement is much more nuanced than anything else here, almost as if each finger-stroke is taking on its own significance. As the fugue builds from that quiet opening, Serkin builds back up to the larger gestures and stronger attack, but he takes his time and makes it a logical, triumphant journey. Serkin's head-on, technical approach to Beethoven, with less emotional or psychological exploration of the music, is singular and may not appeal to everyone.
© TiVo
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Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major for Piano, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier" (Ludwig van Beethoven)
Rudolf Serkin, Piano - Rudolf Serkin, Performer - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827), Composer
1971 Original released 1970 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rudolf Serkin, Piano - Rudolf Serkin, Performer - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827), Composer
1971 Original released 1970 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rudolf Serkin, Piano - Rudolf Serkin, Performer - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827), Composer
1971 Original released 1970 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rudolf Serkin, Piano - Rudolf Serkin, Performer - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827), Composer
1971 Original released 1970 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat Major for Piano, Op. 110 (Ludwig van Beethoven)
Rudolf Serkin, Piano - Rudolf Serkin, Performer - Thomas Frost, Producer - Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827), Composer
(P) 1972 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rudolf Serkin, Piano - Rudolf Serkin, Performer - Thomas Frost, Producer - Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827), Composer
(P) 1972 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rudolf Serkin, Piano - Rudolf Serkin, Performer - Thomas Frost, Producer - Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827), Composer
(P) 1972 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Album review
It's all about the finger technique in this recording by Rudolf Serkin of two of Beethoven's late piano sonatas. The opening of the Hammerklavier is a telling example of Serkin's technique. It is forceful, percussive, loud, and grand. The intense pounding is the overwhelming feature of the first two movements. It doesn't leave room for much subtlety, so Serkin's shaping and phrasing of the movements is done in broad gestures. The long Adagio is more refined in expression, allowing his tone to come out, although his touch is still somewhat percussive and there's room for more legato in his melodies. This movement also has noticeable changes in sound, due to the editing of different recording sessions. The final movement starts out similar to the Adagio, but by the end, Serkin resumes the vigor used at the Sonata's opening. Sonata No. 31 does have cantabile melodies, and the slow passages are beautiful and meaningful. The Adagio opening of its final movement is much more nuanced than anything else here, almost as if each finger-stroke is taking on its own significance. As the fugue builds from that quiet opening, Serkin builds back up to the larger gestures and stronger attack, but he takes his time and makes it a logical, triumphant journey. Serkin's head-on, technical approach to Beethoven, with less emotional or psychological exploration of the music, is singular and may not appeal to everyone.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 7 track(s)
- Total length: 01:03:09
- Main artists: Rudolf Serkin
- Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
- Label: Sony Classical
- Genre: Classical
Originally released 1970 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT / (P) 1972 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
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