Thread: Brendel vs. Barenboim

Sonata, you might already know about this, but have you tried the Spotify service? I have only flirted with it on its advertising-driven (bleck) "free" option, but I wonder if you could try out many sonatas by many different hands that way. I don't yet Barenboim's sonatas at all, but I remember liking Brendel's earliest Beethoven cycle on Vox (?) more than most of the much later analogue/digital recordings that he did----these earliest recordings having been recently reissued by Brilliant in a few different forms: in the most recent enormous Beethoven "complete" edition; also in that mammoth Brendel VOX/TURNABOUT/VANGUARD box; and more manageably in this box:
http://www.amazon.com/BEETHOVEN-Bril...ndel+brilliant
There seem to be many seasoned listeners who like this early cycle (albeit in inferior sound) quite a bit more than his later traversals. FYI!

Elsewhere I offered recommendations to you for cycles by Gulda, Arrau, and Backhaus; but those are just names that have excited me recently. It's hard to imagine you'd not enjoy the hell out of Brendel's approach; I intend to return to him eventually. I just recently listened to this late recording of the DIABELLI VARIATIONS, allegedly Brendel's personal favorite recording of that mountain (iirc), and I was knocked out:
51YSQzPDkwL._SS500_.jpg

I have most every Beethoven Sonata cycle released including all 3 sets from Brendel as well as 3 (EMI, DG & Decca Live) sets from Barenboim.

If I were forced to sit down and only listen to one of those sets I would pick the 2nd Brendel cycle recorded in the 70's.

It's tough to describe and I'm not even sure I'm going to use the right words here, but I find Brendel's first recordings on Vox not "mature" enough. He gives me nothing special to separate him from the pack. His final recording on Philips he was a little too past his prime. They became "too thought out" and I don't feel he was playing near as well as he had a decade before.

Barenboim is a different beast. He picks odd rhythms and timings to me that lessen the impact of the works. There is no "fire" in them. Not that Brendel is a ball of fire himself, but at least his 2nd set is "thought out" enough to keep it interesting and his technical playing ability was at it's peak.

It has taken me some time and many repeated listenings to really appreciate Brendel's 2nd Cycle. Gilels is still the King for me when it comes to Beethoven Sontas, with Ashkenazy's cycle right behind. But I have found a fondness for Brendel's cycle in my collection over the last few years and it does see some play which is more than I can say for the Barenboim cycles.

Originally Posted by thesubtlebody

I am beginning to get the feeling that "moody" is a terminal crank. He *radiates* "wisdom" in all its self-evidence.

That moody's 'conversational style' disturbs you doesn't change the wisdom of his opinions.

Originally Posted by moody

I agree it was the wrong choice of words.

Fair enough. And thanks for your thoughts on your preferred performers. I may have to buy a few of Annie Fischer's recordings, I've heard a lot of good elsewhere about her interpretations. Which ones are your favorites by her?

Originally Posted by Sonata

Fair enough. And thanks for your thoughts on your preferred performers. I may have to buy a few of Annie Fischer's recordings, I've heard a lot of good elsewhere about her interpretations. Which ones are your favorites by her?

(Getting my 2¢ in before moody's 2 pence) For me, Annie's dominant characteristic is intense focus. That works in some sonatas... .

Oh man. None of them for me! prefer Gould or kovacevich

edit: and gilels

Originally Posted by Hilltroll72

(Getting my 2¢ in before moody's 2 pence) For me, Annie's dominant characteristic is intense focus. That works in some sonatas... .

You have hit the nail on the head as to why boxed sets are not such a good idea--certain works suit certain performers.
As a matter of interest when I last attended an Annie Fischer concert I was fascinated to see the number of pianists there.

Originally Posted by Sonata

Fair enough. And thanks for your thoughts on your preferred performers. I may have to buy a few of Annie Fischer's recordings, I've heard a lot of good elsewhere about her interpretations. Which ones are your favorites by her?

Hungaraton has many recordings listed,are they available to you in the USA? I have a feeling they may be live recordings ,it is worth looking into.

Originally Posted by Ravndal

Oh man. None of them for me! prefer Gould or kovacevich

edit: and gilels

Yep, I'll be getting the Gilels set for sure

Originally Posted by moody

Hungaraton has many recordings listed,are they available to you in the USA? I have a feeling they may be live recordings ,it is worth looking into.

Never heard of them moody, I'll have to check into it

Originally Posted by Sonata

Never heard of them moody, I'll have to check into it

Looks like most of those are breakouts from the complete set, and not cheap.

Originally Posted by Hilltroll72

Looks like most of those are breakouts from the complete set, and not cheap.

Cheapness is not the criterion to work on really.I think they are "live" and of course Madame Fischer was Hungarian.
There is also a BBC legends disc of 7,16 and 14 "Moonlight",that's live as well.
I wonder where the EMI recordings are?
The Hungaratons are £14 and the BBC Legends £11.