Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 3, 4, & 27
Sviatoslav Richter
“Orchestral solidity of sound makes the first movements immediately impressive. But the true scaling of heights comes in the slow movement of the C major—a colossal psychodrama here—and, unexpectedly, in the shadowy third movement of the E flat. The Op. 90 Sonata is mellower, never to the point of actually smiling, but unobtrusively responsive to the direction of Beethoven’s thought. Only a select few pianists are so in touch with Beethoven the awe-inspirer; and of those is there any who can match Richter for sustained intensity and will-power?”
Piano Sonata No.3 in C major, Op.2 No.3 (26:34)[1] I. Allegro con brio 10:24[2] II. Adagio 7:37[3] III. Scherzo. Allegro 3:28[4] IV. Assai allegro 5:03
Piano Sonata No.4 in E flat major, Op.7 (27:58)[5] I. Allegro molto e con brio 8:29[6] II. Largo, con grand’ espressione 7:57[7] III. Allegro – Minore 5:34[8] IV. Rondo. Poco allegro e grazioso 5:56
Piano Sonata No.27 in E minor, Op.90 (11:51)[9] I. Con vivicita e sempre con
sentimento ed espressione 5:20[10] II. Non troppo presto e molto cantabile 6:30