Thread: Forthcoming release: Pizzaro plays Beethoven

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Post by beardawgs November 19, 2003 (11 of 12)
Paul,

We were so looking forward to this disc, as me and my other half are really into solo piano, especially Beethoven’s sonatas. Having all what Gilels recorded for DG is a blessing, but also a curse at the same time, who will now have the artistry and insight to repeat that understanding of this music? Let’s hope Kovacevic will go to the studio again, hoping that EMI will get their heads around SACD.
As for op. 111 our favourite is Ivo Pogorelic, for the same reasons we love Gilels. Yes, his playing is an acquired taste, but what a story he has to tell – especially in the second movement! After we played Pizzaro’s 111 we had to play Pogorelich immediately afterwards to recover our hearing :)). Shostakovich once said that he always considered second movement of op. 111 boring music (unless it was played by Maria Yudina). And it is understandable why – playing the notes it’s just not good enough. Late Beethoven is not what it looks like on the paper, the same thing as with his late quartets. I think Pizzaro has on his plate more than he can chew, let’s see what will happen in years to come, but we won’t be rushing to by his CDs again. And will be getting rid of this one ASAP!

Post by nucaleena November 19, 2003 (12 of 12)
beardawgs said:

Paul,

We were so looking forward to this disc, as me and my other half are really into solo piano, especially Beethoven’s sonatas. Having all what Gilels recorded for DG is a blessing, but also a curse at the same time, who will now have the artistry and insight to repeat that understanding of this music? Let’s hope Kovacevic will go to the studio again, hoping that EMI will get their heads around SACD.
As for op. 111 our favourite is Ivo Pogorelic, for the same reasons we love Gilels. Yes, his playing is an acquired taste, but what a story he has to tell – especially in the second movement! After we played Pizzaro’s 111 we had to play Pogorelich immediately afterwards to recover our hearing :)). Shostakovich once said that he always considered second movement of op. 111 boring music (unless it was played by Maria Yudina). And it is understandable why – playing the notes it’s just not good enough. Late Beethoven is not what it looks like on the paper, the same thing as with his late quartets. I think Pizzaro has on his plate more than he can chew, let’s see what will happen in years to come, but we won’t be rushing to by his CDs again. And will be getting rid of this one ASAP!

allan (beardawgs), - am with you entirely when it comes to Gilels, - whose name starts with the same letter as God for a good reason. By the way, there are still some unreleased-on-CD Gilels Beethoven recordings from the early 70's which seem to have been jettisoned when their couplings went into compilations (like the Appass/Waldstein/Adieux disc). I pray that DG will find tapes somewhere that are good enough to re-issue from

I've always felt Kovacevich was likely to inherit his mantle and generally has, but EMI haven't always given him great sound (though the latest box set release has been well recived for the quality and benefits of the remastering of some of the earlier releases).

I know the Pogorelich recording and it is his best performance, but i've generally stayed away from him, - for every hit like the op. 111 there have just been too many misses.

Wouldnt want to be without either Kovacevich or Gilels and so am content to bide my time before testing any more new SACD sonata releases.

As for Pizzaro, am dead disappointed. My disc will be joining yours on the secondhand market very soon.

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