Beethoven Piano Your resource for the piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven

author: Ludwig van Beethoven asin: 0486438058 binding: Paperback list price: $17.95 USD amazon price: $17.95 USD

For 200 years, Beethoven's symphonies have been at the core of the classical repertoire, and they remain among the most important works of art in any medium. These elegant four-hand versions of Beethoven's masterpieces have long been favorites of duet performers. This volume features his final 4 symphonies.

author: Ludwig van Beethoven asin: 0486253929 binding: Paperback list price: $12.95 USD amazon price: $12.95

Most popular and most performed shorter works, including Rondo a capriccio in G and Andante in F. Breitkopf & Hartel edition.

asin: B0000AH3EO binding: Audio CD list price: $12.98 USD amazon price: $12.98

First Time on CD. Digitally Remastered.

asin: B0000041A9 binding: Audio CD list price: $17.98 USD amazon price: $18.73 USD

Beethoven was the first great composer of cello sonatas, and he remained really the only one until Brahms wrote two at the end of the last century, and then in our own time Martinu wrote three. Aside from a few individual works by other composers (Grieg, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich, Barber, and Britten), that about sums up the entire repertoire for this particular combination. It's a difficult medium, because the low notes of the cello tend to get covered by the bass of the piano, and balance between the two instruments is always precarious. Of course, when you have artists of the caliber of Rostropovich and Richter, there's nothing to worry about. This classic set has been the reference edition since the day it was issued, and it's now available at a budget price. --David Hurwitz