[Holden4th]

I thought that as a set, the Pollini is very, very good. Individually it's a bit different

28 Hungerford (great to see others mention this great Aussie pianist)
29 Sokolov - Moscow recording from about 20-30 years ago, it's coupled with the Schumann PC
30 Hess - simply incomparable
31 Richter - in Leipzig
32 Arrau - on a EMI Classic Archive DVD (rec 1970)

 

[David9]

Annie Fischer's Op. 106 is fierce and revelatory, though I think her dynamics in the 3rd movement to be 'pushed' too much. Brendel's 1971 recording is the first I ever heard, so maybe that accounts for it, but I just think he owns this sonata and plays the 3rd movement with a tenderness that owes something to his restraint. I also like Claude Frank's version and also Ronald Brautigam's on Fortepiano. Nevertheless, Annie Fischer's complete set of the 32 are on my Christmas list and am thankful for the many great posts on this thread.

 

[hpowders]

Either Annie Fischer or Bruce Hungerford. Both are very fine.

 

[Botschaft]

no. 28: Brautigam
no. 29: Brautigam
no. 30: Brautigam
no. 31: Brautigam
no. 32: Brautigam

 

[Fenestella]

No.31: Simon Barere
No.32, Mvt.1: Dino Ciani, Sari Biro
No.32, Mvt.2: if memory serves, Anton Rubinstein commented on whether it is humanly possible to excel in both movements and whether the 2nd movement transcends humanity. All recordings I've heard prove his point - which might not be applicable to superhumans like Josef Hofmann and Simon Barere (but I can only imagine since they left no recordings of Op.111).

 

[Xaltotun]

Inspired by this thread, I've been listening to Annie Fischer for two days now and I'M BLOWN AWAY.

 

[Mandryka]

No.31: Simon Barere

The tension, like highly strung nervous tension, makes it very distinctive.

No.32, Mvt.1: Dino Ciani

Do you know why it's so well recorded compared with the rest?

No.32, Mvt.1:Sari Biro

New name for me, I'll explore.

No.32, Mvt.2: if memory serves, Anton Rubinstein commented on whether it is humanly possible to excel in both movements and whether the 2nd movement transcends humanity. All recordings I've heard prove his point - which might not be applicable to superhumans like Josef Hofmann and Simon Barere (but I can only imagine since they left no recordings of Op.111).

Have you heard Arrau on Classic Archives? I also have a vague memory that Yudina did good things with it.

 

[Holden4th]

I've got all the Barere Carnegie recordings but the op110 didn't ring a bell. I'm listening to it now.

 

[dillonp2020]

No.32, Mvt.1: Dino Ciani, Sari Biro
\

I've never liked the the tempo of Ciani for 111.

 

[dillonp2020]

I'm only truly familiar with 106 and 111, so I won't comment on the others.
106: Giles does it for me, no question.
111: Overall, Richter, but some others are good as well. I like Uchida, Kempff, and also Perahia.

 

[jegreenwood]

I'm only truly familiar with 106 and 111, so I won't comment on the others.
106: Giles does it for me, no question.
111: Overall, Richter, but some others are good as well. I like Uchida, Kempff, and also Perahia.

Google tells me that Perahia has been performing Op. 111 in recital recently, but I was unaware that he had recorded it. Is it a recent release?

 

[Holden4th]

A correction on my original post.

I thought that as a set, the Pollini is very, very good. Individually it's a bit different

28 Hungerford (great to see others mention this great Aussie pianist) EDIT I was so pleased to see Hungerford mentioned that I got carried away. Hungerford never recorded Op 101. Right next to my Hungerford CDs is Ernst Levy and I love his quite original take on this sonata. I'm not sure how I mixed them up but I was enjoying a quite libation at the time.
29 Sokolov - Moscow recording from about 20-30 years ago, it's coupled with the Schumann PC
30 Hess - simply incomparable
31 Richter - in Leipzig
32 Arrau - on a EMI Classic Archive DVD (rec 1970)

 

[staxomega]

Annie Fischer and Schnabel. It's been a while since I've heard the late sonatas played by Arrau, I recall they were excellent as well.

 

[staxomega]

Inspired by this thread, I've been listening to Annie Fischer for two days now and I'M BLOWN AWAY.

The Hungaraton box of her complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas is one of my favorite classical box sets.

 

[Fenestella]

The tension, like highly strung nervous tension, makes it very distinctive.

Always an honor to meet connoisseurs who understand the esoterica of Barere's pianism because his pianism is kinda like the Greco-Roman mysteries - the exoterica (fast & furious) are for the many, the esoterica are for the few.

 

[robert vetter]

Beethoven and Annie Fisher

Thanx for info on Annie Fisher and I will seek her recordings----only familiar with Brendel, Hengerford, etc.

 

[JCLEUNG]

Anton Kuerti is great

 

[kangxi]

I agree on Goodyear's excellent Beethoven cycle. Those interested should know it can be had, as a download, for $5.99. Amazing, that! These are 320K MP3s.

https://us.7digital.com/artist/stew...dyear/release/beethoven-the-complete-piano-sonatas-1946009?f=20,19,12,16,17,9,2

KenOC - many thanks for the recommendation. Paid and downloaded a couple of days ago: what a bargain!

 

[Roger Knox]

Ashkenazy

I heard Ashkenazy around 1971 play a concert of 109, 110, and 111. His playing was exquisitely focused, the audience spellbound. Not saying he was the best -- there can never be a best for these multi-faceted compositions.

 

[Roger Knox]

Anton Kuerti is great

It is so sad that he suffered a stroke and is no longer active. My prayers go out for Anton Kuerti, a great Beethoven pianist.