Ludwig van Beethoven:
Piano Sonatas
No.8 in c minor, Op.13 «Pathétique»
No.14 in c-harp minor, Op.227 «Moonlight»
No.26 in e-flat minor, Op.81a «Les Adieux»
No.23 in f minor, Op.57 «Appassionata»
Alfred Brendel, piano
“Vox reissues offer the rare opportunity not only to reassess the musical and interpretative development of this fine pianist over more than 30 years, but also to benefit from the purely musical insights which such a comparison can give.” — Gramophone
“Moonlight is hushed and gentle in its cool stillness, with veiled tone…. The finale, at a relaxed tempo, is beautifully pointed but does not seek extrovert excitement…. Les Adieux: finale is striking and direct… recordings excellently remastered: bright, bold and resonant with fine presence.” — Penguin Guide
Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 « Pathétique »[1] I. Grave- allegro di molto e con brio 9:09[2] II. Adagio cantabile 5:43[3] III. Rondo: Allegro 4:20
Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor, Op.27 « Moonlight »[4] I. Adagio sostenuto 6:01[5] II. Allegretto 2:19[6] III. Presto agitato 7:38
Piano Sonata No.26 in E flat minor, Op.81a « Les Adieux »[7] I. Das Lebewohl: Adagio –allegro 6:14[8] II. Abwesenheit: andante espressivo 3:10[9] III. Das Wiedersehen: vivacissimamente 5:34
Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor, Op.57 « Appassionata »[10] I. Allegro assai 9:43[11] II. Andante con moto 6:17[12] III. Allegro ma non troppo – presto 8:05