In Beethoven, as in Schubert, Schumann, and Mozart, the more lyrical the piece, the better pianist Murray Perahia appears to be. On this 2008 disc joining four of Beethoven's early piano sonatas -- the big four movement A flat major and D major sonatas Opp. 26 and 28 and the little three-movement E major and G major, Op. 14/1 and Op. 14/2 -- Perahia is clearly at his best as a Beethoven player. There is a noble singing lyricism in his reading of the A flat major's opening Andante con variazioni and an unendingly lyrical ...
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In Beethoven, as in Schubert, Schumann, and Mozart, the more lyrical the piece, the better pianist Murray Perahia appears to be. On this 2008 disc joining four of Beethoven's early piano sonatas -- the big four movement A flat major and D major sonatas Opp. 26 and 28 and the little three-movement E major and G major, Op. 14/1 and Op. 14/2 -- Perahia is clearly at his best as a Beethoven player. There is a noble singing lyricism in his reading of the A flat major's opening Andante con variazioni and an unendingly lyrical line to his account of the D major's opening Allegro that seems more vocal than instrumental in its subtle phrasing. And the two little sonatas here sound like more than songs without words, they sound like vocalises, especially in the E major's lilting Allegretto and the G major's tender Andante. But in Perahia's hands even the A flat major's monumental central Funeral March sounds at times more like a choral work than a piano work. The American pianist achieves his sustained lines...
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.